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Information you can use today Marching memories of Sun Fun ‘69 For great meals, shop your ‘stash’ YC welcomes two new writers ... and much more!
The Magazine For York County!
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Publisher’s Letter A View From The Keyboard By Pam Henson
Volume 17, Issue 5 YC Magazine is an entertainingly informative monthly magazine distributed throughout York County, South Carolina. © 2020 Pluto Publishing LLC Publisher ..... Pam Henson Magazine/Advertising Design ............. SC Biz News Editor ..... Jim Tatum Graphic Designer ..... Nicole Haggard For Advertising call Susan Hurst at 864-907-4326 or email shurst@scbiznews.com All rights reserved. YC Magazine may not be reproduced in part or in whole in any form, format, or media without the permission of YC Magazine. The opinions expressed in YC Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or staff of YC Magazine or Pluto Publishing LLC.
Letters to the Editor are welcome. Must include name, phone number, and email address. Email to YCeditorial@scbiznews.com. We are unable to respond to letters without an email address.
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I’ve been dreaming lately, dreaming of when we can all go back to doing previously simple tasks that we may have taken for granted as we look back now, like going to the grocery store and joining friends for dinner at a familiar York County restaurant. Even my current, rare outings are a treat, just to get in the car and drive with my windows down, tangling my hair (which has grown a substantial amount). Can you imagine the run on hairdressers and barbers when it’s safe to go out again? Hopefully, that will be soon. To the small businesses around York County, I hope you’re diving into those Small Business Administration grants and loans in order to keep your employees, stay in business, and perhaps find new and creative ways to serve customers. We will support you when you’re back open.
C o l u m n i s t s
I
’ve been running all over the world lately. Not in reality, since most people throughout the globe are currently in self-isolation to help “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 spread, but virtually. With the fitness program on my elliptical, I can run on dirt trails on the edges of cliffs, along rivers with waterfalls, around lakes that mirror surrounding mountains, over narrow bridges, at the top of mountain peaks, on snow, and even on water. I can select a run with monitor displays of either static photos that advance 20 or so feet at a time or videos with trainers who share great tips and inspiration. I’ve even researched and created my own trails with breathtaking views. One of the most unique places I’ve run was on a frozen lake in Mongolia, weaving around large ice sculptures, lots of traditionally costumed people, and decorative horse-led sleighs.
In the interim, YC Magazine readers, support your favorite local small businesses by ordering food delivery and buying online products and gift certificates, for you and for others. Surprise our hard-working medical professionals and emergency responders with a meal delivery. Our local, small-business restaurants are owned by people you know — your family, friends, and neighbors. If you love YC Magazine, please support all of the small businesses who support us through advertising. Extraordinary times call for creative solutions. Though YC Magazine has never published its issues online, we are doing so temporarily during this state of emergency. We all need positive and fun things to read. YC Magazine has always been and will continue to be “York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine.” We support York
County readers by providing quality content covering a wide variety of topics and written by dedicated, talented, local columnists. Our columnists are your friends and family who live in York County. As our advertisers have always supported the creation of this unique magazine, we support them in turn by providing a quality platform to help spread their voices. It’s a symbiotic relationship. YC Magazine is our own circle of life for York Countians, and we all need each other, now more than ever. As I “run” around the world, I’m making a mental list of places to continue my adventures in the real world, someday soon. Adventures are stories — who we were, who we are, and who we can become. Who will you become once we’re allowed to re-emerge from our cocoons? yc
YC Magazine Columnists: Mike Baker ....................................... Photography Beth Covington ................................ Connections Beth Crosby...................................... Wordsmithing Doris Ezell-Schmitz......................... Poetic Reflections Dr. Steve Fields ................................ Nature Angela P. Forbes .............................. Nutrition & Food Safety Todd Harrell .................................... Disc Golf Walter Heinsohn...............................Law Laurie Helms & Amy Gonzalez ....... Parks & Recreation Carole Holmberg ............................. Astronomy Keith Jermyn & Kevin Murphy ....... Antiques Grady Johnson................................. Cocktails Tim Jones ........................................ Music Zach Lemhouse ................................ History Dr. Robert Lesslie ............................ Health Stuart Lord....................................... Track Talk Dr. Bert Platt .................................... Animal Health Pluto ................................................. Furry Philosopher Lauren Paige Powell......................... A Dog’s Life Mollie Rose ...................................... Service Nancy Sambets ................................ Photo Gallery Cameron Shook ............................... The Great Outdoors Paul Thompson ................................ Horticulture Stacy Williams ................................. Library Dr. Kevin Wickes ............................. Psychology Dennissa Young............................... Arts
About the cover: A field of
flowers in York County, a common sight this spring. (Photo/Jan Todd)
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
CONTENTS YC is Digital! Forward this issue to a friend.
Avoid the Crowd, Vote Absentee by Mail! Request your 2020 Elections Absentee Applications by: email: elections@yorkcountygov.com online: www.scvotes.org phone: 803.684.1242 or 803.909.7194
Absentee Ballots are counted on Election Day Those who qualify are urged to vote absentee as soon as possible. Qualifications include: being age 65 or older, having a disability (includes illness and injury), attending a sick or disabled person. For a full list, visit www.scvotes.org
column
A Dog’s Life .................... 35 Aging...............................40 Arts..................................18 Animal Health ............... 38 Antiques...........................8 Astronomy ......................27 Connections .................... 17 Disc Golf......................... 25 Great Outdoors................39 Health .............................10 History ............................. 6 Horticulture ....................14 Library ............................37 Moon Phases ...................41 Music.............................. 20 Nature..............................12 Nutrition ........................ 36 Parks & Recreation ........ 34 Photo Gallery.............29-32
list
Photography .................. 22 Pluto-ism ..........................5 Poetic Reflection.............32 Psychology ......................19 Service .............................16 Track Talk ...................... 26 Wordsmithing ................ 28
Knowledge is POWER. Become powerful TODAY! Read YC Magazine and Power Up! If you would like to see a specific topic covered by one of our columnists, email us at YCeditorial@scbiznews.com
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May 2020
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Pluto’s Corner
Deep Dog Thoughts By Pluto
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
History
York County’s Yesteryears By Zach Lemhouse
The night they drove Old Dixie down
D
espite the fact that the very first battle of the American Civil War occurred in South Carolina, a relatively small number of military engagements occurred in the state. Of the battles that did occur in South Carolina, most of them were fought near the coast. The only official military action that took place in York County occurred on April 19, 1865. A detachment of Maj. Gen. George Stoneman’s cavalry attacked a confederate artillery position erected to defend the Charlotte and SC Railroad trestle that extended across the Catawba River. This engagement, though extremely small, was one of the final battles in a much larger military action known as Stoneman’s Raid, one of the longest cavalry raids in history. On the morning of March 22, 1865 Stoneman’s raiders, comprised of 6,000
cavalry men from Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, set out from Knoxville, Tenn. with orders to destroy any railroad tracks and train trestles between Tennessee and southwestern Virginia. The raiders quickly moved through east Tennessee and, on March
28, crossed the border into North Carolina. With many of the able-bodied young men fighting elsewhere in the country, the only force left to defend the Carolinas against Stoneman’s cavalry were hastily established homeguard regiments. The homeguard was a loosely organized
militia established by the Confederate States to do exactly as their name suggested: defend the Confederate home front. These regiments were typically made up of young boys and elderly men. Stoneman’s cavalry made quick work of a homeguard regiment in Boone, N.C.,
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Fig 1: Major General George Stoneman Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Civil War Photographs, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-B8184-3287.]
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine before they moved north into Virginia. Between April 3 and April 9, Stoneman’s raiders destroyed railroads in Virginia around Wytheville, Christianburg and Lynchburg before they crossed back into North Carolina. Between April 9, the day Lee surrendered at Appomattox, and April 14, the day Lincoln was assassinated, Stoneman’s men raided Salem, Greensboro, Jamestown, Highpoint, Salisbury, Statesville, and Taylorsville, North Carolina. Salisbury posed the greatest resistance of any target that the raiders had encountered thus far. Though no official records exist, historians have estimated that the number of Confederates defending Salisbury ranged anywhere from 250 men to as many as 1,500. Regardless of the size of the Confederate force defending Salisbury, George Stoneman (fig. 1) was eager to take the town. Salisbury was home to several important military targets, including a Confederate foundry and arsenal as well as a prison that housed Union prisoners of war. Unfortunately for the raiders, the inhabitants of the Salisbury Prison had been moved elsewhere. Salisbury fell to the Union on April 12 and the first divisions of Stoneman’s cavalry began leaving around mid-afternoon the next day. The raiders traveled south toward Char-
May 2020
lotte, raiding Statesville and Taylorsville along the way. Stoneman divided his cavalry at Taylorsville, sending a brigade under the command of William J. Palmer south to scout along the Catawba River while Stoneman and the rest of the raiders traveled west toward Lenoir. After arriving in Lenoir, Stoneman decided that he had fulfilled his orders and that it was time for him to return to Knoxville. Despite the absence of Major General George Stoneman, Stoneman’s Raid had not yet reached its end. William J. Palmer, now in command of Stoneman’s Raiders, launched small raids throughout North and South Carolina. Of all these small raids, none equaled the one led by Erastus C. Moderwell into York County. On April 17, 1865, Palmer ordered Moderwell to take 250 cavalrymen from the 12th Ohio Cavalry and ride into South Carolina. Their target was the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad trestle that crossed over the Catawba River near Nations Ford. Two days later, shortly before daylight, Moderwell’s raiders reached the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad trestle. One raider recounted that the bridge was defended by “about 60 men and 2 pieces of artillery.” Without any artillery of their own, Moderwell devised a ruse to bluff his way out of a potential
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altercation. Stepping within earshot of a confederate prisoner who had been captured prior to their arrival, Moderwell assumed the role of Major General George Stoneman, who by this point was in Knoxville. In a commanding voice, Moderwell ordered Capt. Hill to “put the battery in position and open fire on the bridge.” The nearby confederate prisoner quickly responded, “I do not think that is necessary general… the major commanding will surrender if you make the demand.” Moderwell accepted the Confederate prisoner’s proposal and sent him across the trestle with a message for the confederates. The message read: To the Officer Commanding at the Catawba Bridge: Dear Sir, In order to prevent unnecessary shedding of blood, I demand the unconditional surrender of the forces under your command. George Stoneman, Major General When the captured Confederate soldier handed the message to Major E.M. Jones, the Confederate commander at the trestle, it was evident that Moderwell’s charade had worked. The prisoner confirmed the presence of Union artillery and that the raiders were led by none other than George Stoneman himself.
Major Jones agreed to surrender “in consequence of the vastly superior [Union] force,” the white flag was raised, and the trestle’s defenders were paroled. Soon after, the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad trestle was destroyed and the cannon were spiked and thrown into the river. Despite its scale, Stoneman’s raid is little more than a footnote to history. After the Civil War came to an end, one of Stoneman’s Cavalrymen wrote that “no similar enterprise in the history of the war accomplished so much of importance with so little public attention.” However, Stoneman’s Raid did capture the imagination of the Canadian-American rock group The Band, who immortalized Stoneman’s raid in their 1969 song entitled “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Virgil Caine is the name And I served on the Danville train ‘Til Stoneman’s cavalry came And tore up the tracks again. yc Zach Lemhouse is the resident historian for the Culture and Heritage Museums of York County and the Director of the Southern Revolutionary War Institute. If you have any questions or suggestions for future article topics you can reach Zach at ZacharyLemhouse@ gmail.com
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Antiques
Collecting The Past
By Keith Jermyn & Kevin Murphy
A waterfall of furniture appeal
W
aterfall furniture is a widespread term used to describe molded plywood furniture that showcases curved or rounded horizontal edges, hence, the term “waterfall.” For the most part, waterfall furniture is not technically “fine furniture” because the construction techniques and materials used are generally meager. The real appeal of waterfall furniture is in the unusual veneer designs along with decorative Bakelite handles. But what is waterfall furniture? Waterfall furniture was originally considered to be inexpensive furniture in its time. Generally, there is no structural frame to the pieces. Instead, the molded plywood sides and tops are supported only by edge moldings. Also, there are usually no drawer glides used which helped keep manufacturing costs down. This style of furniture was mass-produced from the mid-1920s through the early 1940s. The style is most frequently seen in bedroom suites, although dining sets, televisions, sewing machines and other small pieces were produced. The original inspiration for waterfall
A waterfall dining room set. PAGE 8
furniture comes from the handmade modernist furniture movement in France, Austria and Germany from the 1900’s. Early examples mix Victorian motifs with modernist themes which were designed to appeal to broad audiences. The intended market of waterfall furniture was newlyweds in the United States. During the Great Depression, most new American couples could not afford their own house and the best they could do was a room in their parents’ house. Hence, the “bedroom suite” was probably the only thing they owned. The resulting feelings created by the Depression era caused sentimental attachment to the furniture and a reluctance to change even though family finances improved. Thus, many couples have kept and preserved their waterfall sets until the very end. As a result, many examples of waterfall furniture are available on the resale market. The basic waterfall bedroom suit included a bed, dressing vanity with matching bench, and a chest of drawers. Other “add-on” waterfall items included nightstands, dressers, cedar chests
The term “waterfall furniture” refers to molded plywood furniture that showcases curved or rounded horizontal edges, such as this waterfall cedar chest. (Photos/A Lasting Touch) and armoires or chifforobes. In 1930, a basic bedroom set would have cost around $19.95. By 1937, the basic bedroom set was $39.95 with the waterfall version being the price leader. In 1939, the modern waterfall line had complex veneer work and the basic three-piece set sold for $49.95. In addition, a full dining room set consisting of a table, 5 side chairs, 1 host armchair, china cabinet and buffet sold for around $105.95. Today, a complete basic waterfall bedroom suite goes for around $800$900 in reasonable condition. Naturally, the hardest and most desirable pieces to find are nightstands and vanity benches. Waterfall cedar chests go for $400 and up. Overall, the “value” in waterfall pieces is purely sentimental. Technical advances of the 1920’s made it possible to mass-produce waterfall furniture by adapting the newfor-the-time material called plywood. Before plywood was available, curves in wood could only be achieved by laborious and expensive means that were not at all suitable to the assembly line. However, technological advancements such as plywood made it possible to create a large number of attractive pieces at low cost. In waterfall construction, the ply-
wood is covered with veneer (paper-thin slices of real wood) giving the illusion the piece is made of a more expensive wood, such as mahogany, oak, or walnut. Because of the nature of this type of construction, care is needed in order to maintain the beauty and structure of waterfall furniture. The most important thing to take care of is the veneer on waterfall pieces. Veneer has a number of enemies. The biggest threat to veneer is moisture. Excess moisture causes the veneer to detach itself from the underlying plywood. The most common veneer damage results from storing the furniture in a damp basement. The veneer loosens at the base of the object and often peels away resembling “fringe.” The second biggest threat to waterfall veneer is heat, particularly from storing the furniture in a hot attic. If the glue gets too hot it will swell causing bubbles to form. Excess heat or other hot objects, such as cigarettes, candles, or curling irons can actually destroy the veneer. The finish on waterfall furniture is most often mahogany or walnut stain and top coated with spray shellac. As a result of the shellac finish, the biggest threat to a waterfall finish is alcohol. What many people do not realize is that
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
alcohol is the solvent for shellac and the main ingredient used in the production of perfume is alcohol. That is why many times the surface of a waterfall vanity is heavily pitted where perfume has been spilled. In restoring a waterfall piece, do not, under any circumstances, use paint stripper. First, alkaline stopping solutions are not the solvent for shellac and second, the stripper will loosen the glue and the veneer will come off. Therefore, it is best to leave any restoration work up to the professional who knows how to handle waterfall pieces. In the end, waterfall furniture was very cheap to make and could be considered the “IKEA” of the 1920’ and 1930’s. The strength of waterfall furniture lies in the use of veneer effects, like book matching, which makes the pieces very attractive. Another strength is deep drawers which provide plenty of storage. Waterfall pieces have unique warmth about them that is not captured by other high-end furniture designs. Therefore, waterfall furniture will always have a very high emotional value and will remain collectible in the future. yc Keith Jermyn and Kevin Murphy are co-owners of A Lasting Touch Furniture Restoration and Chair Caning located in Rock Hill, SC. They can be reached at 803-324-5503 or you can email contact@alastingtouch.com.
A waterfall bedroom set. The ability to produce these items inexpensively made beautiful furniture attainable for almost anyone.
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Waterfall night stands. PAGE 9
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Health
The Doctor’s Corner By Robert D. Lesslie, MD, MPH
The pandemic of 2020: An update 2020. In the healthcare field, that usually means normal vision. Boy do we need it now.
W
e’re several weeks into this life-changing event — the coronavirus pandemic — and it’s a good time to assess what we’ve learned. - It takes time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Daily — maybe hourly — we read of “new breakthroughs,” “exciting discoveries,” “game-changing developments.” We hungrily respond to these claims for a lot of reasons. We want to hear something good instead of the constant drone of bad news. More importantly, we’ve become accustomed to “instant information” and have lost two important components of perspective — and discernment. (Next time we’re going to consider the current relevance of a quote attributed to various writers:
“A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on.” - This is a serious problem. Covid-19 is a virulent virus, but it’s not the plague. It’s virulent because of its efficiency of transmission, its predilection for attacking the lungs, and our lack of immunity to it (remember, this is a novel virus). Again, it’s not the plague. We have not yet lost millions to this infection, hence the need for a balanced perspective. We don’t yet know an accurate “death rate.” We looked before at this calculation. We have a good idea of the number of deaths due to the coronavirus (the “numerator”), but we don’t know the number of people actually infected (the “denominator). When we use the number of positive tests as the denominator, we don’t include the hundreds of thousands of people who are infected but not tested. That skews the death rate in an alarming
direction. It’s going to take weeks if not months to have an accurate estimation. - “Social distancing” and “social separation” are effective methods in slowing the spread of this (or just about any) infection. We’ve known that for hundreds of years, and its application now is important. Not exciting, or “a brand-new discovery,” but effective none-the-less. - As of this writing, there is no proven treatment for Covid19, other than supportive measures. That may change but beware of snake-oil salesmen. Once again, we all want instant answers to this pandemic - and instant cures. - Practicing logical hygiene makes a difference, including handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, etc. Most important, though, is the concept of “separation.” Now for some good news. We will eventually have a vaccine for the coronavirus, though it’s months in the future. It takes time, and we want it to be
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effective. Remember, this is the same family of viruses that gave us SARS1 and MERS. Healthcare providers will be routinely recommending the annual flu vaccine along with the annual corona vaccine. More immediately, it appears that we will soon have a POC (point of care) test available for this virus. That will be a game-changer. With the flu or strep, we can get reliable diagnostic results in less than half an hour. Once we have this available on a broad scale, the management of this problem changes significantly. Among other things, we will know who needs to be quarantined and who doesn’t. It will especially help those on the “front-lines” of this pandemic. So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. There are a lot of people hurting right now, and it seems that is going to get worse. Take care of yourself, but also take care of your family and your neighbors. And now is a good time to read and reread Romans 8:38-39. Commit it to memory. 2020 vision is still possible. As is a significant measure of peace. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. yc Dr Lesslie’s Angels in the ER is available at bookstores and on the internet. For more information check out RobertLesslie.com.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Nature
The Naturalist’s Journal By Dr. Steve Fields
“Epoch” changes IV: Northern exposure
L
ater this year, a new exhibit opens at the Museum of York County. “Ice Age Carolina: Exploring Our Pleistocene Past” will feature incredible creatures that once inhabited our region. With the start of 2020, I started a new series that explores the changing Carolina climate and environment in which the Ice Age creatures lived. Thus far, we have explored the early and middle portions of the Pleistocene Epoch. From dry grasslands similar to modern East Africa to warm, humid forests like present-day South America, our region experienced dramatic changes as climate shifted over time. By the late Pleistocene, the Carolinas were subject to yet another change, this time with a more “northern exposure.” The “Ice Ages” are marked by the appearance and movement of great masses of ice in the northern latitudes. Over the 2.6 million year course of the Pleistocene, these huge glaciers advanced southward and retreated back to the north several times (in response to changes in climate). By 18,000 years ago, the the ice sheets advanced southward for the last time. Although the glaciers never made it to the Carolinas, they may have pushed as far south as Kentucky. The massive ice sheets still had two major effects on the South. The broad expanses of ice reflected a great deal of sunlight back into space, resulting in much cooler temperatures. Additionally, the glaciers were thousands of feet thick. They stood high enough to deflect upper level air currents towards the south. This added to the cooling effect, and changed the landscape of the Southeast. The fossil record of the Carolinas preserved not only the remains of animals, but in some places, the pollen of the some very unusual trees. Instead of the familiar broad-leafed oaks and hickories, the area was dominated by evergreens — firs, hemlocks, red spruce, and jack pines. These trees are common today in Canadian forests, but during the late Pleistocene, they thrived in the Carolinas. Some of the animals also had a northern affinity. There were, of course, the mammoths, mastodons, ground sloths, and saber-toothed cats that we associate with the Ice Ages, but they were joined by caribou, musk oxen, porcupines, and wolves. Caribou are a classic icon of the north. Yet, 18,000-19,000 years ago, they roamed
PAGE 12
Artist rendering of a dire wolf and a musk ox, which inhabited the Carolinas during the late Pleistocene. (Photo/Museum of York County) the open conifer woodlands of the Carolinas. They were accompanied by their cousins, elk and white-tailed deer. An especially bizarre form of moose (the elk moose or stag moose) rounded out the deer family in our region. Muskoxen are shaggy beasts that are well-adapted to cold climates of the northern latitudes. During the late Pleistocene, the woodland muskox browsed the open forests of the Carolinas. They may have moved in small herds, which would have given some protection from predators. Among those predators, the dire wolf was likely at the top of the threat list. Dire wolves were larger and more robust that their smaller timber wolf cousins. They likely traveled in packs, as well. There may have been some competition for food between wolves and saber-toothed cats, but a lone sabertooth would have been no match for a pack of ravenous dire wolves. Even the great short-faced bear would have likely conceded to a large clan of the voracious canines.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Depositphotos.com Within all of this rivalry among large beasts of the boreal woodland, a smaller, less contentious creature sought a more solitary, peaceful existence. The porcupine browsed soft vegetation of the forest floor but also climbed trees to reach soft twigs and tender bark. The ability to climb also allowed this rodent the ability to get out of the way of oncoming danger. Of course, it could also stand its ground, bringing sharp quills to bear if necessary. Within a few thousand years, the climate was on a warming trend. The glaciers retreated back to the north for the last time, and the evergreen woodlands gave way to our more familiar oak-hickory-pine forests. The boreal animals also disappeared. Caribou and porcupines moved north, while dire wolves and woodland muskox, along with many other large Pleistocene mammals, went extinct. By 10,000 years ago, most of the “megafauna” were gone. The exact causes of that mass extinction have been the subject of scientific debate for decades. It will also be the subject of our next column as we continue to investigate “Epoch” changes. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy. yc Dr. Steven E. Fields is the curator of natural history for the Culture and Heritage Museums and an adjunct instructor of biology at Winthrop University and York Technical College. You can contact “Dr. Steve” at 803-909-7216 or email stevefields@chmuseums.org. PAGE 13
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Horticulture
Growing York County By Paul Thompson
Little hoverflies deliver big benefits
Head comparison between hoverfly(left) and honeybee.
Hoverflies are small, but very beneficial, eating many aphids and other plant pests. (Photos/Paul Thompson)
H
overflies, aka Syrphid Flies, are a common site in the garden. Of the 900 or so species native to the United States, most are mistaken by many gardeners as being a bee or a wasp due to their mimicking coloration pattern of black and yellow stripes on their abdomens. But these stingless imposters are important beneficial insects in the garden that feed on the likes of aphids, thrips, immature leafhoppers and other small, soft-bodied plant pests. They are one of the first beneficials to become active in the spring and get an early start on helping to suppress those early aphid populations on
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certain ornamentals and vegetables. Hoverflies get their names from their pattern of flying, often hovering in the same spot for 5 to 10 seconds. If you have flowers blooming, you have hoverflies visiting. They are a very common sight in the garden. There are several ways to distinguish them from a bee or wasp. Hoverflies are in the insect order Diptera, which are the flies. Flies only have one pair of wings whereas bees and wasps have two pair. Hoverflies heads are almost all eyes with very short (almost unseen) antennae. Bees and wasps have more space between the eyes which are more to the side of their
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Lady beetles are also beneficial insects, feeding on many garden pests. head and antennae that are easily seen. Hoverflies overwinter as either adults or pupae depending on species. The ones that overwinter as adults become active anytime daytime temperatures are over 50oF. Winter weeds and early spring blooming plants serve as a source of food for these adults which feed on pollen and nectar. Adults have good eyesight and when not feeding are looking for aphids or other plant pests which will serve as food for the larval stage. Eggs are laid singly on leaves and stems where pests are present. Eggs hatch in 3 to 5 days into a larval stage that, with flies, is called a maggot. It appears headless and is a legless worm-like creature around a quarter of an inch long that slithers about looking for prey. The head-end is tapered and the rear end is larger and rounded. The larvae go through three growth stages or molts over 1 to 3
weeks before pupating to change into the adult stage. The whole life-cycle lasts approximately one month and there may be up to seven generations through the growing season. The larvae can eat over 400 aphids during its development. A healthy population of syrphid flies can reduce aphid populations by as much as 70 to 100%. In combination with other beneficial insects such as ladybeetles, parasitoid wasps, and aphid lions, many of your garden pests can be destroyed. How do you encourage hoverflies and other beneficial insects to take residence in your landscape? Provide a source of food for both the adult and larval stages. Blooming plants that attract other pollinators will attract the adult hoverflies as well as other beneficial insects. If you have nothing blooming in early spring, leave a
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
A hoverfly larva can eat more than 400 aphids during its development. small area of blooming winter weeds in an out-of-the-way place until other flowers are blooming. To provide food for the larva, you have to tolerate a population of pests. If you routinely apply insecticides to control pests, you will not have much help from hoverflies or any other beneficial insects. Be observant when you see aphid populations and see if you can find the presence of hoverfly larvae or some of the other beneficials mentioned earlier. If nothing is found, use something like insecticidal soap or just a sharp stream of water to reduce the aphid population without leaving
May 2020
An adult hoverfly
residual insecticides behind that would impact the beneficials when they do show up – and they will. For more information on hoverflies and other beneficial insects, visit the Clemson Home and Garden Information Center for this fact sheet which describes many of the beneficial insects that are common in the landscape: https://hgic.clemson. edu/factsheet/natural-enemies-predators-and-parasitoids/ yc Paul Thompson is a Horticulture Agent with the Clemson Extension Service. Contact him at 803684-9919, ext. 112.
A hoverfly pupa. The hoverfly’s entire life cycle lasts around one month.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Service A Helping Hand for the Community By Mollie Rose
Stories of hope in York County
W
e hope that you and your family are safe and healthy. As you know, when our community faces challenges, United Way of York County plays a key role in helping people recover and rebuild. In the face of COVID-19, our community has come together to offer invaluable resources for its members. It is essential during these trying times to reflect on stories of hope and small victories. A big thank you is owed to the frontline workers that continue to show up to keep essential services going. It is because of them that our hope and well-being can continue. Healthcare professionals, food industry workers, law enforcement, delivery drivers, public safety, and so many others have put their health at risk to keep our community running. One huge victory is the school districts continuing meal service to students across the county. For many students, food insecurity is a daily reality. The closing of school meant these students might go hungry. But thanks to the staff and faculty at schools across York County, this was one worry amid the pandemic they could control. Local companies have also come together to serve. Media companies like Comporium and TruVista have offered their internet services free of charge to families whose students need internet to continue their coursework. York County Natural Gas, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, York Electric Cooperative, the City of Rock Hill, York County Sewer and Water, Town of Clover, and other utility providers have postponed account disconnections. Local restaurants are providing discounts or free
Depositphotos.com meals to student-age children. Another resource that has been instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic is 2-1-1. SC 2-1-1 or 866-892-9211 connects people with important community services to meet every day needs and the immediate needs of people in crisis. Trained operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service is confidential and free. Individuals are able to tell their stories to
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one person who can then connect them with the resource or resources they need. A barrier to getting help is knowing who to reach out to, and 2-1-1 fills that role. We know that even in the most stable of times, a single, unexpected expense is enough to send many families into a financial situation from which it is difficult to recover. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more evident the need for our bold goal of financial stability. With this in mind, we have launched the United Way of York County COVID-19 Family Fund to help meet financial stability needs to aid in the recovery in our community. UWYC will aide families along the path to financial stability by supporting working individuals who have experienced lost wages or decreased hours at work associated with COVID-19 by supplementing their major household expenses through emergency grants to our vetted and experienced non-profit partners. The fund will focus on assistance in three areas: housing (rent or mortgage assistance), utility assistance, and supportive services for dependents.
Nearly 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. Little to no savings means one event can cause a working individual financial hardship. This economic reality has left many vulnerable, sending them into even greater economic distress as a result of COVID-19. Minimum wage and hourly jobs do not always pay enough for an individual or family to meet all their needs without assistance. This reality is why our mission is to lead individuals and families on a path toward financial stability. By assisting our community through addressing underemployment and the need for financial literacy, we can help families become financially stable. When one individual succeeds, our community succeeds. It is evident that York County is a community of helpers and we must continue to come together to lift our neighbors. yc Mollie Rose is the Marketing and Communications Director for United Way of York County, SC. Contact her at mrose@unitedwayofyc.org.neighbors, co-workers, and friends.
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Connections Helping Hands By Beth Covington
Good things have come from this bad situation
W
hile COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc on our lives and causing fear among us all, I must admit there are good things that have come from this pandemic. Not saying COVID-19 is a good thing in any way, shape, or form, but acknowledging that there are usually nuggets of goodness tucked away within just about everything. So, yes, here is my little ray of sunshine message to you, and maybe you’ll share your nuggets of goodness with me, too. While the sadness over our losses and the fear is still palatable in just about everyone I meet, not all is doom and gloom. I have really enjoyed watching families live life together as one unit. That’s probably the greatest thing that has come from this enforced quarantine – family time. Even if a parent is an essential worker that is leaving home every day, it’s awesome to see the rest of the family show him/her appreciation and support during a very stressful time. Seeing kids playing outside again, finding creative ways to entertain themselves, or spending time with their siblings and parents, is just priceless. Being removed from friends and other family members has been tough, I’m sure, but in the end, it has brought the nucleus of the family back together. I feel like parents are getting to know their children as people and it’s awakened a joy in spending time with each other. I have also loved watching families get back to the basics. I have never seen so many people building chicken coops in the backyard and planting gardens. Not only is it a great family project, but the satisfaction of creating something with your hands, or contributing to the family meal when the eggs and veggies start rolling in — these are things books and the internet could never teach a person. It’s an experience that will last a lifetime for parents and children alike. Along those same lines, it’s about time we all stepped away from the drama llama and the #firstworldproblems drama, and having the basics become scarce or rationed will do that for you. Have you ever seen so many people excited to find, not “top of the line” toilet paper, but store brand/off brand toilet paper that has never graced their home before? Yes indeed, when the choices are limited to takewhat-you-can-find-or-get-creative-withcoffee-filters-and-Kleenex, we suddenly discover store brand is good enough for
our behinds. I’m not sure when we as a country became a bunch of snobby snots, but this has definitely changed the outlook on what’s important. TP is just one example. We have gotten creative as a family with foods, too. It wasn’t easy at first to try a new name of bread, or quality of meat, but if you want it bad enough, you compromise. Or, as we tell the seven-year-old, you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit. (It won’t do you any good anyway, the shelves are empty outside of what you got, so like it or go hungry, right?) Limiting our ability to run and do is also creating the ability to rest. There is an importance in resting. Most of the time it seems we are in a race to see how much time we can spend on the go and doing this that and the other. But all of this came to a screeching halt. Sure, we all felt at a loss at first. When you run forever with no end in sight, how else would you respond to having all that stop immediately? But as this has worn on, people have learned to take life a little slower, spend time where your priorities are and find a peace in home. And, it allows you to stop and think, consider, ponder, evaluate, which is a very good thing. One group who just impresses me week by week are our pastors and churches, who are determined to find a way to reach their congregations in some way. Every preacher is now a televangelist and doing an outstanding job of providing a way to connect with folks in a dark time. If you have ever wanted to try out various churches, just find their service posted on Facebook and “visit” a new one each night! Some of the messages have really been encouraging when things seemed so tough. A big thank you to all the pastors who have never dealt with anything of this magnitude but are doing a great job of helping us find our footing and shed some of our fears. Thank you. And, of course, thanks to everyone who is still working and making life happen for all of us. The first responders and healthcare field, every drive thru and restaurant I’ve hit up lately, the truck drivers and the folks making sure they are taken care of on the road. Thanks to the amazing teachers who are missing their students and rocking the online classes like pros. Thanks to all the parents who are keeping themselves together to support their kids. And thanks to everyone who never gets thanked because you are just as important as the rest. It takes a million folks to keep this coun-
try running and whether you are working from home, in the office, in the field, on the road — wherever, thank you. And we look forward to this country returning to full steam again soon, but hopefully the lessons we’ve learned along this path will
stick with us when it does.
yc
Beth Covington is a life-long York County resident with a passion for nice people and ranch dressing. Contact her at beth.covington@gmail.com.
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May 2020
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
Arts
The Cultural Scene By Dennissa Young
Dear artist, are you okay? maybe do those things that have been put on the backburner. Mike Gentry, the Arts Council’s Gallery Manager reports of productivity amongst the rubble of the Coronavirus changes: “As an arts organizer it’s super unfortunate to have lost this time and had to cancel events. I’ve also appreciated the slowdown of obligations to attend and host events. This break has allowed me to reassess my work. When it comes to our gallery, we have time off to think of ideas to remodel our space and how we view our role as an arts organization.” This leads me to another quote by this highly dedicated and involved Winthrop student, Anna Goldstein: “I feel thankful for the A recent meeting of W.A.M.A. members, held online in the Zoom platform. (Photo/Dennissa Young) time to be in one place, but I also feel an imhis is a question I have been asking keeping their patrons safe. But there is also mense amount of pressure to participate in myself a lot. Asking it about/to my- tremendous loss for these organizations as every virtually art-related event that pops self, asking it to my friends. I know well as Winthrop Galleries, the undergradup on my radar. They’re always so fun and that a lot of people are suffering and expe- uate and graduate exhibitions, and Consweet, but there are so many! My schedule riencing pain, loss and disappointment in certs at the Courtroom. Each organization is almost just as packed as it used to be.” COVID-19’s wake. I don’t think the artist is has had to cancel their events for the foreThis is both amazing and crazy to think outside of that category. I think about the- seeable future. about. Anna is among the newest lot of What’s a thriving art scene supposed to ater performers, musicians, visual artists, W.A.M.A. members as well as the President curators, I mean all artists rely on gather- do without its art? I asked a couple artists, of Friday Arts Project at Winthrop. Can you ing to some extent. And we are taking a hit art organizers and art advocates this simple imagine? Now you can tune into any art question: “how do you feel in this season?” from that. event via the Internet. So not only are these Locally we are taking a hit. I am so grate- I was surprised and grateful for the differamazing local organizations producing ful to see our town adjust. But I also know ent answers. Let’s talk through some of content and spaces for artists, people like it’s not been easy. I think Sarah Kennedy their responses to that question. Anna are so busy they can’t even keep up. I loved what the director of Friday Arts Irwin, painter and Creative Director of FriThen, I think about the artists that are day Arts Project said it best when I asked Project, Kirk Irwin said: “My imagination still working hard in their essential serher how she was feeling in this quarantine and the imaginations of my artist friends is vice industry jobs like this one local powseason: “In a word, ‘stretched.’ Thinking about the only thing giving my landscape erhouse: “A lot of artists are making the outside the box has taken on a whole new color right now.” This sentence is the most best use of their newfound time and are meaning. Trying to stay connected while real. This idea that we are all at this strange staying busy making strides in their pracclearly apart is not an easy task. But I’m so crossroads with the world and with ourtice and the promotion of it. It’s really nice grateful for my friends who show up with selves. That our worlds are being colored to see so many of them staying productive by the imaginations of those around us me to create together separately.” with the resource of time. It’s definitely a Friday Arts Project, We Also Make Art on Zoom, on Facebook Live, on all other resource I wish I had to put to use, but be(W.A.M.A.) and the Arts Council have all platforms. cause I work in retail at an ‘essential’ store, taken precautionary measures towards Others are taking this time to recoup and the pandemic is having the opposite effect
T
PAGE 18
on my ability to even think about creating. The long hours and daily tasks are very demanding, which drains me of any energy I would have to create. I’m thankful to still have income, of course, but my art-making muscles aren’t getting the exercises they need!” I can imagine that this is how most artists feel. Like our essential retail friend said, the new-found time is doing some good! Sierra Alter, high school artist and music enthusiast says: “Oddly enough, I feel pretty good ‘arts wise’ I feel like beautiful things can come out of hard times. I’m taking breaks when I need to and not stretching myself too thin. I feel more of a want to create rather than a need in this time. That makes it feel more genuine to me.” What a beautiful place to be. Some artists feel the need to create out of fear of losing their relevance, or since their shows and exhibits have been cancelled, they are still striving to find income. It’s a both/and situation. I love how bookbinder and multimedia artist Brandi Voigt Fox put it: “Everything about quarantine is such a tumble of emotions, hopefulness and despair, curiosity and concern all tangled up. At times the quiet slowness is a comfort and at times it feels dead and oppressive.” W.A.M.A. creator and lead singer of GASP, Josiah Blevins, reports honestly by saying: “I feel completely batty. This lockdown has made apparent the need for art and music to stay sane, and I think this is the transition from one chapter of digital content into a 2.0 version of everything we’ve experienced before. Art and performance will never be the same online, but maybe they can be good in different ways? I don’t think everyone was as collectively concentrated on that idea until right now.” All artists and art organizers are fighting and wrestling and leaning into the current cultural climate. This tension of figuring it out, not understanding and making the best of it. So, no matter where you are as an artist know you are not alone. yc Dennissa Young is a native New Mexican and an international nomad. She graduated from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 2015. Newly identifying as a Rock Thrillian, Dennissa works for Friday Arts Project as the Media and Communications Manager. She is a video performance and relational artist, working mostly around the topics of relationships and identity. You can see more of her work on her website: dennissayoung.com or her instagram @dennissayoung
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Psychology
Working Within
By Dr. Kevin Wickes, LPC, NCC, CEAP
Recovery can be an indicator of who we are es and options you can choose. Often, individuals feel trapped as a result of limited or perceived no choices or options. When an individual feels (or perceives) helplessness or hopelessness, it will often lead to increased anxieties and/or depression. Many of the mental health professionals have suggested to maintain a routine/habit (i.e., wake-up/sleep, chores, daily activities, social hour, Depositphotos.com and etc.), continue to nurture self (i.e., meditation/ s I write this month’s article, it apmindfulness, yoga, running, pears the COVID-19 will contin- exercise, diet, sleep and etc.), and build ue to journey through the state of your positive social network of friends and South Carolina and our nation. Therefore, I family. would like to address the “how?” as anxietBeyond what is suggested, the following ies, uneasiness, stress/strain, uncertainties are additional “recovery” techniques as we are all playing a toll on our emotion and/ continue to struggle with the challenges of or psychology. Losing the foundation or the the negative impact of COVID-19: center of who you are, what you are, and • Focus on the behaviors or the choices you what you’re wanting to become can often can choose: “shake” your identity and voice. Thus, I • SBA and stimulus check – be sure you want to continue to provide you additional explore the options provided by the $2.2 tools, knowledge and skills in coping/mantrillion stimulus package from the federal aging with what is still to come as a result government of COVID-19 (i.e., economy, relationships, • IEDL and PPP for small business ownemotions, etc.). ers (contact your bank) – contact your As the title of this article states, “Recovaccountant (CPA) and unemployment ery is the indicator of who we are…” Conbenefits (yes, you’ll need to have a lot of template with me that phrase – remember, patience, stamina and endurance to fight you have read/heard the quote – “it’s not through the overwhelmed system) what happens to you, it’s how we choose • Up to $1,200 per person (and $500 for to address what happens.” The “how” each dependent children) is the key in weathering the storm of the • Even if you have little or no savings/cash COVID-19. – budget, start prioritizing and yes, make Like many negative events/relationships tough choices on what can be delayed and what needs to be paid in our lives, the “storm eventually passes.” The painstaking loss, grief, depression, etc. • Focus on basic needs – food, shelter, bills, etc. of losing many consistent/predictable and reliable standards in our lives (the norm, or • Use your imagination or creativity with regard to coordinating/juggling the limwhat we’re accustomed or take for grantited amount of resources ed) are the reasons for the despair that sets in our well-being (sometimes disguised in • Remember the goal/objective is to weather the COVID-19 “storm” depression and other mental health chal• One step at a time lenges). I convey to clients, when you relapse, fo- • If you look too far ahead (some are saying the COVID-19 will be here for another cus on the recovery. When you focus on the 6-8 weeks (excluding a recurring wave of relapse, there is guilt/shame and doubt, and the Coronavirus), you’ll find yourself in a the cycle continues. dismal “black hole” – hence, the reason Therefore, what does recovery look like taking the first step, and the next step, in the midst of COVID-19? Take the choic-
A
• • •
• •
• •
and it will minimize (or eliminate) going down the “black hole” of depression/ anxiety If the step is too big, break it down to “mini-steps” Be aware You have others in the same circumstances/situations – traveling the road of recovery with others helps to know that you have others around you who are experiencing similar feelings, thoughts and/or behaviors – share each other’s experiences Mindfulness – knowing and at times accepting the situation (mind, body, emotion, and spirit) At times, you will need to extend outside of yourself – part of depression is that you get “stuck” within your own self (thoughts and feelings), and at times, it helps by reaching out to others (i.e., volunteering, giving donations or blood, and etc.) You’re more than the COVID-19, tap into your resilience, strength, courage, confidence and etc. – “I can and I will.” Serenity Prayer – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to accept the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference.”
Some quotes to ponder:
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington “It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” – Doe Zantamata “The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.” – Epicetus “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on.” – Robert Frost Finally, the words of Tom Hanks’ character, Chuck Noland, says, “I know what I have to do now; I’ve got to keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?” yc Dr. Kevin Wickes, LPC, NCC, CEAP, is a licensed, certified counselor and professor of Integrative Counseling Services, LLC. Contact him at 843647-1162 or dr.kwickes@gmail.
Depositphotos.com PAGE 19
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Music
Tuning In To York County By Tim Jones
The Marching Green Dragons and Sun Fun ’69
F
or the members of the 1969 Green Dragon Marching Band, it was about an eight-hour ride from York to Myrtle Beach. We were riding school buses, and in those days, school buses had governors on them, limiting their speed. School buses could only go 35 miles an hour and covering the 180 miles would have taken at least 5 hours going a constant 35 mph. Add in an hour or so for a lunch break and half an hour for a couple of bathroom breaks. Then, add in some extra time for having to slow down through all the little towns on the way and having to stop at countless stop signs, traffic signals, and yield-right-of-way signs, and yes— it was at least an 8 hour trip. We did not care. We were teenagers and we were headed to the place every teenager in South Carolina longed to be at the beginning of summer—Myrtle Beach, or as we commonly called it, “the beach.” We could put up with eight hours on school buses just to feel its gentle breeze, taste its salty air and hear its quiet roar. To say that excitement ran high on those school buses would be a gross understatement. Conversation and laughter abounded. Everyone was anticipating the fun we would have. There was so much to do at Myrtle Beach. There were arcade games, rides and juke boxes at the Pavilion. Miniature golf if you liked. All kinds of “beach foods”— cotton candy, saltwater taffy, footlong hot dogs. And there was the beach and its fashion show. Many of the girls had put a great deal of thought into what bathing suits they would wear on the beach. It’s safe to say that a lot of the boys had put a great deal of thought into what bathing suits the
girls would wear on the beach, too. We were also on a mission. We, the York High Green Dragon Marching Band, and about 20 other high school marching bands were participating in the 1969 Myrtle Beach Sun Fun Festival parade. Judges were present, and the band deemed the best in the parade would be named the Sun Fun Champion and receive a large trophy. Second through fifth got progressively smaller trophies. It was our intention to bring that largest trophy back to the York High School trophy case. Two years earlier the Marching Green Dragons had gone to the Sun Fun Festival and brought back the largest trophy. It was, very noticeably, the only band trophy in the YHS trophy case. For many years, York High was not known for its marching band. We had heard the stories of how people would come to Green Dragon football games and cheer for the football team and laugh at the band. We also had heard the story from band director John Bostic about how, just two years earlier, a small, unheralded high school marching band from a small, upstate South Carolina town went down to the lower state and beat out the other 20 or so marching bands to bring home the Sun Fun Festival title. It sounded like the plot to the movie Hoosiers but with band instruments instead of basketballs. “29 pieces,” Bostic said. “The smallest band there. But those 29 pieces went down there and blew their hearts out and brought that trophy home.” That was 1967. There was a new attitude about marching band at York High School because of that 1967 band, and 2 years later we hoped to return and add another Sun
Fun Champion trophy to the YHS trophy case. We had added some members and were up to almost 50 pieces. With some bands numbering over 100 and even 200 members, we were still the smallest band there, though. Ah, but the trip wasn’t merely about a band competition. This was the beach. Myrtle Beach in 1969 was vastly different from the Myrtle Beach of today. There were no high-rise hotels where all the band members could stay together. Short term rentals consisted mostly of “haughtily shabby” beach houses, so whoever booked the accommodations for the band booked us all over town, a few here and a few there, with the better accommodations going to the upperclassmen. I was a freshman, so I was assigned a room with two other freshmen. Our accommodations were, shall we say, somewhat less than commodious. The room we shared was tiny, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long, maybe. There were three bunk beds stacked one on top of the other. The room was so small only one person could stand at a time. At night, we had to get in the bunks one at a time. There was one small window, but it didn’t open. It was stuffy and hot, so sleep was miserable, if not downright impossible. We spent as little time as possible in that cramped room. The bathroom was at the end of the hall, and with everybody in the house shared it. That bathroom was almost always occupied. It was a good thing we had young prostates. But hey! We were young and we were at the beach. We could put up with anything. We had worked hard in practices at home, marching up and down McCelvey
JMG industrial
Street in front of the school probably hundreds of times, perfecting our marching. We had spent countless hours in the band room, fine tuning every nuance of our performance piece. Jimmy Feemster and I were the two bass drummers, and we had practiced for hours to synchronize our drum strokes. We had a routine for the marching cadence and a routine for our performance song. Others in the band had spent countless hours perfecting their music and their individual routines. For some reason, the majorettes practicing stands out most in my mind. I was a 14-year-old boy. Since we had practiced so much at home, Mr. Bostic went easy on us at the beach. We had a couple of rehearsals just to make sure we were ready, but otherwise we had several days to do what we wanted at the beach. The nice thing about the place we were staying was that it was right at the heart of Myrtle Beach. We were just across the street from the Pavilion, a miniature golf course, and a Krispy Kreme. We had to bring enough money for our own meals and our own entertainment. I had saved up a little money from my side business of grass cutting and soda pop bottle collecting, so I had a few quarters to play the Skee-Ball machines at the Pavilion. I also discovered that if one had to, one could live entirely off of Krispy Kreme doughnuts for several days. Okay, maybe that last one was a choice rather than a necessity. I even developed a decent putting stroke on the miniature golf course. Mostly, I swam in the ocean. It didn’t cost anything, and it was a lot cooler than that cramped room in
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Depositphotos.com the beach house. I had lots of swimming buddies and Skee-Ball buddies and miniature golf bud-
dies and Krispy Kreme buddies., too. You couldn’t throw a seashell without hitting some kid from the York band at the beach
that week. We were all young and happy to be at the beach and happy to share that time with each other.
After several days of fun in the sun, it was parade time. One could not have asked for a more beautiful parade route. 3 miles or so of marching straight down Ocean Boulevard with the Atlantic Ocean as a constant back drop. “Born Free” was our competition piece of music. Coincidentally, it was the same music that the 1967 YHS marching band had played, so we felt we had a good piece. As we marched down Ocean Boulevard, we could feel and smell the ocean breeze. We could our instruments meshing with the sound of the breaking ocean waves and echoing through the shops and houses of Myrtle Beach. Those days of long rehearsals were paying off. We could feel a combination of beauty and power in our music. We just knew others could feel it, too, and as we marched in place at the judges’ stand, we blew our hearts out. Later that afternoon the results were announced. We held our breaths as fifth, fourth, and third places were announced, crossing our fingers that we would not have our name called just yet. Then the announcement came, “In second place, the York High School Green Dragons, from York, South Carolina.” The Emporia High School Band from Emporia, Virginia was named the champion. Sure, maybe we were a little disappointed, but second place was still pretty good, and we still had one more evening at the beach together. One more dip in the ocean, one more round of miniature golf, one more game of Skee-Ball, one more Krispy Kreme doughnut. Okay. Maybe two more Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Three? 11 o’clock the next morning, we got on the school buses and commenced the eight-hour drive back to York. The trip back home was a lot more subdued. Much quieter, not much laughter. I don’t think it had anything to do with our second-place performance. That wasn’t important. We just didn’t want our time together to end. We put our 1969 second place trophy beside the 1967 championship trophy in the school trophy case. It looked good there. Is it still there? I have no idea. The memory is still there, though. It was one of the best experiences of my life. 51 years later, I see people I was in marching band with, and I’m always so happy to see them and talk about the “good old days.” When we talk about the 1969 Sun Fun Festival, we don’t talk about trophies or competitions. We talk about Skee-Ball and miniature golf and foot-long hot dogs and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We talk about the fun we had. Ain’t that what it’s supposed to be about? yc Tim Jones is owner of Woody’s Music in Rock Hill and co-owner of Woody’s Music in Tega Cay. Tim grew up in Sharon and was a Green Dragon at the old York High School.
PAGE 21
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Photography
View Finder By Mike Baker
Building a body of work and other opportunities
These photos are part of the author’s body of work of photos taken at the Woodlands, a 19th Century private home in York County. At left is a photo of Victorian architectural elements showcased on the roof of the house. Above is a study of a bedroom.(Photos/Mike Baker)
R
ecently, in this column, we’ve been looking at ways in which to improve our photographs. Given the situation at the time of this writing, a state mandated stay-at-home order due to the Covid-19 crisis, I decided to forego the compositional rules and theory and offer three photo project suggestions. I do realize that photographers have been inundated with stay-at-home photo projects. I’m hopeful that these projects could be more fruitful than make-work photo ideas. It is PAGE 22
possible that by the time you are reading this, things have improved, and no such stay-at-home order is in place. In that case, these project suggestions are still worth a look. My first suggestion is to pick a new photo related skill and practice, practice, practice. For example, maybe you have heard photographers extolling the virtues of back-button-focus. This is a camera technique in which autofocus activation is separated from the shutter button. For me,
back-button-focus is all I’ve used for years, but it did take time to perfect. If you are not familiar with the term back-button-focus and want to know more, Google the term and you’ll find how-to instructions as well as folks debating its virtues or its evils. How about that Wacom or other brand graphics tablet that you’ve been meaning to learn to use instead of editing with a mouse? That’s another skill that takes lots of practice. But, at a time when you may not be rushed with deadlines or with lots of photo editing,
now could be a good time to learn that editing tool. Remember, the key to mastering these types of new skills is to use them to the exclusion of how you were doing it before. If you’re interested trying new editing software, now might be a great time for a serious test drive. Alternatively, with editing software that you are already using, practice a new-to-you tool or feature. For example, have you never gotten the hang of using the powerful feature in Photoshop called layers? This would be a great time to
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
edit old images with a new editing feature. I do advise that you constrain yourself to practicing only one new skill, one new program or even one new feature at a time. The whole idea is to gain brain and muscle memory with your practice, attempting to learn too many new skills could defeat the purpose. My next suggested photo project is to go through your library of images and cull them, cull them ruthlessly. I can hear those photographers out there who never delete anything screaming, “Nooo”. And if you’re one of those, I get it, it’s a personal choice. But I came to the conclusion that I only need so many thousand pictures of bears, deer, and random locations or people to whom I have no connection. Also, as in the case of my many not so great images, I’ve come to a conclusion that no improvement in software or editing technique on my part could save them. No matter the size of your image library, a good culling and sorting can accomplish multiple things. Getting rid of duplicate or extraneous images frees up hard drive space thus helping your computer and software run faster and more stable. Revisiting old images also reacquaints one’s self with older work, and in addition to getting rid of redundant or lesser work, you may find forgotten gems. My last suggested project is to begin to organize your images into one or more bodies of work. The term “body of work” is familiar to professional artists such as painters, sculptors, and fine art photographers, but I find it’s not so familiar to amateur photographers or even many of today’s working photographers who think in terms of building a photography portfolio. The differences are very slight and very nuanced. A portfolio can be thought of as a “best of” selection of photos. Whereas, a body of work is a cohesive collection that carries the same style, the same message and fully investigates a subject. I think of a body of work as being my legacy images arranged by subject or theme. These may not be my prettiest images, but instead, they are my most effective images. Succinctly defining what a body of work is and why they are needed is tough, I suggest checking out PhotoWork: Forty Photographers on Process and Practice, a book by Sasha Wolf. With that, I’ll leave you with images from one of my bodies of work, The Woodlands. Over the past five years, I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to photographically investigate and document this fascinating 19-century private home. When the time is right, I look forward to a return journey to The Woodlands. yc
Doors opening to the exterior of the home. (Photos/Mike Baker)
Mike Baker is an awarding-winning photographer whose work has been published by national and regional publications. Mike is an Artist in Residence at the Arts Council of York County and a member of NPS (Nikon Professional Services). Mike can be reached at mike@mbakerphotographic.com. PAGE 23
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Law Navigating The Law By Walter Heinsohn
It was the … worst of times
I
s this not a perilous time, perhaps the most perilous time of our lives? Others and I have considered that question. I was not here when World War II broke out but have read about it and spoken with many who lived through it. As scary as this pandemic is, I think it pales to what the country was facing the morning of December 7, 1941. We were physically attacked, not knowing when or where the next attack would come. Realizing our military had dwindled, leaving serious doubt that we had the capability to withstand another attack. Contemplating life under subjugation of foreign powers. Those were the darkest of days. I remember the Cuban missile crisis, the Cold War and the “comforting” thought of mutual nuclear destruction. That was scary to a young elementary school kid. The Vietnam War colored my junior and senior high school years. The nightly bodycount. I remember the stress caused by the thought of
being drafted and having to go fight in that war. It didn’t cast a complete pall over our young lives, but it was there and a part of our teenage boy world. I remember the outrage, fear and sadness caused by the assassinations of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. I remember the chaos as our cities caught fire in the civil rights and anti-war movements. As a college graduate in the mid ’70’s, I recall the stress of a bleak job market, runaway inflation and “Moonies” everywhere. I was in law school in California when the AIDS virus broke out. No one knew what it was, where it came from, or how it spread. But it was spreading fast and hospitals did not know how to treat it. That was a scary time and place. I remember the shocking reality of having absolutely no control as the unbelievable force of Hurricane Hugo’s winds bore down. I feared for the safety of my young children. Then there was the stress of dealing with Hugo’s after-
math of destruction, the lengthy loss of all utilities and the general chaos. The images of September 11, 2001, and the days after are forever burned in our consciousness. Do you remember the skies void of airplanes? I remember the Gulf War and the Iraqi war. There was no anxiety as to the outcomes but there was dread as to what the toll may be. Now, there is the Corona Virus/Covid-19/ Novel Corona Virus. If you haven’t experienced fear, dread, anxiety, stress, sadness, outrage and/or chaos, I don’t want to know you. For us humans, it is as if all the feelings of all the perilous times of our lives are poured into this time and magnified. As freaky as some of the epochs of our lives have been, I would have to say that this is the most perilous time. I don’t dwell on it but, at times, I consider if this pestilence will claim the life and/or health of my wife, one of our children, or our grandchild. Is this virus waiting for me? Will I have mild
symptoms and recover quickly? Will I need ICU and a ventilator? Will I take months to recover? Will I suffer some lifelong debilitation? Will the hospital, nurses and doctors be sufficiently equipped? Will I have a doctor willing and able to use on me some of these promising treatments? Will the medicine be available? Will I be another number in the daily body count? With all of this going down, what possible reason or excuse can you have for not getting ready your Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive? You are intelligent people. I am not going to go into details as to why it is so important. You know the reasons why. This most perilous time makes it crystal clear why. A word to the wise is sufficient. It is time to get it done. yc Walter Heinsohn is a lawyer who has served the area since 1985. You can reach him at 803-366-5181.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Disc Golf
Turn And Fade By Todd Harrell
Hard to make putting practice fun
I
’ve never really loved putting practice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s better than a lot of things. And, it can be downright tolerable when you combine it with your wireless speaker and a cold one. But more often than not, after a long day of work followed by a few hours of entertaining my three-year-old, I skip putting practice in favor of the next episode of “The Americans” or whatever other season we’re in the middle of streaming. However, with the Coronavirus making rounds at actual disc golf courses sketchy at best, I’m having to take whatever disc golf I can get, and at the moment that’s been limited to putting practice in my small-ish backyard.
Corona had terrible timing
Obviously, whatever inconveniences disc golfers face from the Coronavirus pale in comparison to the real devastation experienced from the virus throughout the world. But for disc golfers, who had waited all winter for the 2020 season to begin, the timing of the Coronavirus was pretty crappy. It hit right at the beginning of the season, just as disc golfers were getting their first spring rounds in. I think I only got two rounds in before things started getting bad.
Five new putters
Knowing that I wouldn’t see a disc golf course for a while, I wanted to get myself as excited as possible for my practice putting exile. And what gets a disc golfer more excited than an ace run? New plastic, that’s what. So, before I placed myself in full Shelter-in-Place mode, I got five brand-new, red Juliana Korver Pro Aviars. (In case you are unaware, Juliana Korver is a five-time World Champion who dominated the women’s game in the early to mid-2000’s. Her signature putter, which is soft and gummier than most, is a favorite of many and one I’ve been meaning to fully try). As for my basket, I employ the same DISCatcher Sport I have practiced with for the last 12 years. It’s no longer gleaming by any means, but it can still catch a disc – at least the ones that are properly thrown at it.
Bedtime means awaken the putters
Every other night, after I put my son
The author, properly masked and social distanced, practices putting on his back yard rig. (Photo/Todd Harrell) to bed, I’ve gone out to my backyard and worked on must-make putts. For me, a casual disc golfer, that’s within 15 to 20 feet of the basket. Of course, for a pro that distance is practically a drop-in. But, I’m no pro. I’ve been testing out a putting regimen I read in a disc golf magazine which forces you to make five in a row before moving on to the next spot. I think it’s a solid method and after several nights of practice, I can feel my putter slowly coming back.
Everyone tells you that putting is the most important aspect of the game. It’s where you can make up the most strokes. “Drive for show, putt for dough,” is that famous disc golf quote that sums it all up in catchy rhyme. I agree. I just haven’t found the right way to practice putting yet. I’m missing the fun factor that draws you back each time. I need to come up with a backyard game that hones my skill and gets my juices flowing.
Putting practice still … meh
But wait … Putting practice can be fun?
However, after a few weeks of this, I now find that I have to motivate myself to practice just as much as before the virus, even when it’s my only disc golf option. Even the novelty of my new JK Aviar Putters has already worn off.
My friend, DJ Hek Yeh found a way to do that during quarantine. He came up with a bracket putting competition where participants compete from their backyard. Broadcasting themselves with their phone through Facebook Live, these competitors
face off against each other with the goal of outscoring their opponent from points associated with 25, 35, and 45-foot putts. Hek Yeh’s putting competition only lasted a few weeks, but this is definitely something that can get you excited about practice putting. It would be cool if there was a format to do this any night of the week, where you log-in from your backyard and take on the world. Someone should come up with that. Not so much me. Seems like it would require a lot of web design code and that’s not my thing. But I would definitely give it a positive review. And hey, I never review anything. Until then, I’ll still be dragging myself out to the backyard to practice a few putts before Netflix calls me away. yc Todd Harrell plays disc golf, among other things. PAGE 25
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Track Talk
The Local Racing Scene By Stuart Lord
Racin’- It’s a family thing: Part 2
B
ack in the Oct. 2019 issue, Track Talk talked about a young champion, Jeremy Steele, who would go on to finish up the season as the Carolina Speedway Open Wheel Modified Champion in his Rookie year. He also won Rookie of the Year and the Most Popular driver. I wrote, at the time, his success could be credited to his dad, Chris, also a championship driver. And now, the reason for part two of this close-knit family. Had I done more homework on the above story I would have found out the family picture was even larger. While Chris was competing at various tracks in North and South Carolina, he would be watching the career of Hall of Fame driver Wayne Thrift of York. Wayne started his driving career in 1974/75 in a Rookie Stock ‘55 Chevy at Lancaster Speedway and Starlite Speedway. Back then, that class ran only if there was enough time that night, sometimes only getting in a few laps. Come 1976, Wayne moved up to a Hobby Stock 63 Chevy Nova. In his very first race of the season, he won the feature event, and by the end of the year had won the points race while racking up 26 wins. Over the years, Wayne had many great sponsors, including local builder Billy “Sugarfoot” Robinson, Frank Harp, Bill Alexander, and a great sponsor, Hall’s Grading Service. Thrift even had his own cheering section, 11-year old Mandie, who would later become Chris’ wife. I asked Wayne when and how he got into racing. “I had an older brother, James, who was also racing, and he let me drive his car. I was not the typical kid who started out
in go-karts, I jumped right into full size cars.” Classes were much different just a few years ago. One of the divisions Wayne excelled at - and at one time held the record for the number of wins in a single season. The year was 1984, the track, Lancaster Speedway, his home track. That year, a season consisted of 23 events. Competing in the Semi-Modified Division, Wayne won 20 of the 23 feature events. He finished second twice and had only a single DNF that year. In the same year, he also competed at Chester Speedway, winning six of the eight races he entered. Wayne won two championships at Lancaster, while competing part-time at other tracks. Back in his racing days, the cars he most competed with was a class called Super Six Late Models. And nobody ran better. Assembling his own engines, which by the way, he still owns to this day, and setting up his race cars, Thrift was a feared competitor whenever he showed up at a track. The one thing that stands out about the drivers and owners of that era is they built their own cars in one-car garages, with limited money to invest. Looking around his garage in York, I won’t call Wayne a pack rat; he did, however, keep most of the parts and pieces he raced with. In fact, sitting outside his shop is the Super Six Late Model, while inside rests the very last car he raced. In 1996, driving his Limited Late Model, he was hit so hard in the rear during a feature event that the car was totaled, after he and his sponsors and friends invested quite a bit of money, only to see it destroyed. At that point, Wayne retired. We had talked about Chris becoming
Wayne Thrift won his first race in 1976 in this car. (Photo/Stuart Lord) PAGE 26
Chris Steele, father of racing champ Jeremy Steele. (Photo/Stuart Lord)
Wayne Thrift’s last race car. (Photo/Stuart Lord) part of the family. And while Wayne and Chris only competed against each other twice, they both followed each other’s careers. While I lightly touched on his racing, the fact is that Chris was, and still is, an extremely skilled and knowledgeable driver. Looking back, he was the Metroliner Speedway track Champion in 1991, 1992 and 1993 in the Street Stocks. He was also the Lancaster Street Stock Champion in 1992 and 1993 with a total of 165 wins. His total wins at various tracks over the years stand at more than 200 and just a few weeks ago, he ran an event for another team. Of course, his biggest win was when he married Wayne’s daughter, Mandie, after meeting her - where else - at the races. I’ve been writing about motorsports for over 50 years, and never have I met such a close family in racing. While Wayne isn’t at the track each week like in years past, he knows exactly what his grandson is doing on the track. “It’s a whole different world
of racing out there today. I don’t try to offer too much advice to Jeremy, but when he asks, I jump at the chance to help out any way I can. I am so proud of what he has accomplished in such a short period of time. But what really makes me smile, is his attitude about not only racing, but also his hard work and his family life. I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Very few are able to do what Jeremy has done in one year behind the wheel of a race car but look at the stock he comes from. His grandfather is a champion, a Hall of Fame member at both Lancaster Speedway and Chester Speedway. His dad is a multi-track champion. Not many families can top that. With the support of his father and mother, his sister and his grandfather, this family will continue to be on the lips and minds of fans for years to come. yc Stu Lord is a former NASCAR track manager, writer and talk show host living in York. His email address is relichunting@gmail.com.
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Astronomy Looking Up
By Carole Holmberg
Finding the beehive in the spring sky
I
n the spring sky, between the constellations of Gemini and Leo, which are bright and easy to recognize, lies a dark region, a place with no bright stars, one of the darkest patches of the sky. Even so, they have fashioned a constellation out of this area, the constellation of Cancer, the Crab. It doesn’t have any bright stars, but in the smack dab middle of it is a blob of fuzz. It is visible to the naked eye in a relatively dark sky. It’s the Beehive Cluster, so named because, long ago, it was said to resemble a swarm of bees. The ancient Greeks said that if you couldn’t see the Beehive at night, a storm was brewing. That is because if there are high clouds, you wouldn’t necessarily see them at night, but they would obscure the faint object. The Beehive Cluster is a delightful view in binoculars. In Rock Hill, my eyes can’t quite see it without binocular aid, but in dark, moonless skies I still can. To locate the cluster with binoculars, I find the stars bright Pollux and Regulus and scan along a line between them. The Beehive will be about halfway between the two stars. To find Pollux, which is one of the Gemini twins, I start with the constellation of Orion. First, find Orion in the sky. It is composed of three stars in a line, surrounded by four more stars in a rectangle. The star Rigel is the bright blue supergiant star on the lower right of the rectangle. It never looks particularly blue to me, but if you look at it for a few seconds, you will notice that it isn’t quite white. The word Rigel can be translated as “foot.” Next, find the red supergiant star Betelgeuse, on the upper left of the rectangle, the shoulder (or
This image of the Beehive Cluster was taken in Rock Hill on March 25, 2020 by Mark Stanford, Sr. through his telescope. armpit) of Orion. If one goes from Rigel, across the belt and to Betelgeuse, and extend the line, you run into the Gemini’s two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, which are almost equally bright. Pollux is the one to the left (east) of the pair. To find Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo the Lion, I start with the Big Dipper. Luckily the Big Dipper has been climbing in the sky each evening during the past few months. Pretend the Big Dipper is a saucepan and go underneath it, below the base. Extend your arms and make fists with your hands. Leo is about three or four fists below the Dipper. Regulus is the brightest star in Leo and will be underneath the bowl, rather than the handle. Once you have identified both Pollux and Regulus, sweep on a line between them with binoculars and look for the faint patch of stars.
The Beehive Cluster is a cluster of stars, a group of stars that are gravitationally bound together and all formed at nearly the same time. This particular cluster has about one thousand stars, all about 600 million years old and an estimated 590 light years away. It is an open cluster of relatively young stars, and not as packed with stars as a globular cluster, which can have tens of thousands of stars packed together in the shape of a huge globe. While 590 light years away sounds like a far distance, the Beehive is one of the closest open clusters to Earth. It spans an impressive 1-1/2 degrees in the sky, three times the size of the full moon, although it is too faint to see that much, even as a smudge, without a telescope. The Beehive Cluster is sometimes known by the name Praesepe, which is the Latin word for manger. This particular manger
has nothing to do with baby Jesus, but instead a manger that houses two donkeys, the nearby stars Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis, the northern little donkey and the southern little donkey. Although Praesepe isn’t a biblical reference, there is one, although it is a bit of a stretch. In the book of Judges, in the Old Testament, Samson kills a lion. He finds inside a swarm of bees with honey. The Beehive Cluster is just to the west of the constellation Leo. It is occasionally said that the story of Samson has many sky references, but this is the only one that I know. yc Carole Holmberg is the Planetarium Manager at the Museum of York County. She gives planetarium shows each Tuesday – Saturday at 3:30 p.m., with additional shows on Saturdays and school holidays. Ms. Holmberg can be reached at CHolmberg@chmuseums.org. PAGE 27
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Wordsmithing
Articulate Creativity By Beth Crosby
Journaling will help you remember …
W
Record this time because you’ll forget hat have you learned from the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine? Daily journaling helps us to notice what has changed in the past 24 hours. We look back to record the day’s events so we can later read and remember things we forgot.
Journaling offers perspective
Do you remember what happened Feb. 10? Without referring to my calendar or journal, I have no idea. Even unimportant things can be necessary when looking back. If you created a new favorite family dish with what was in the freezer while shopping opportunities were limited, that’s inspiration to remember. Were you shopping for toilet tissue early on or settled in your determination that the novel corona virus COVID-19 was overinflated? Has your perspective or attitude changed? Maybe you sit down to record in your journal on a normal day. Perhaps you had a class or meeting, and that day was like any other day. Remember the driver who let you out in traffic or the license tag of a reckless driver in case it’s relevant. Describe the new person you met on a conference call so you can recall facts about her later. How can you remember nuances if you don’t keep your thoughts, hopes, dreams, sorrows, and questions in a place you can refer to? Did the teddy bear your neighbor left in her window to bring a smile to neighbor children’s faces bring one to yours? Did you feel happy, touched by kindness? Inspired? A journal is only for the writer. Reading another person’s journal is like spying or pawing through someone’s underwear drawer. It’s wrong and creepy.
en advantage of our countrymen. In July of the same year, I wanted God to heal my husband, who was injured in Afghanistan. We stayed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for ten months. I kept a journal periodically during the time we lived there in a 400-square-foot hotel room. I needed to express my feelings without causing him more anguish. Humans think we’ll never forget how we felt. Sometimes memories are indelible. Other experiences, like walking around the neighborhood are less memorable longterm.
Unforgettable experience
Gloomy days
When I grew up, adults always seemed to remember where they were Nov. 22, 1963, when they learned John F. Kennedy was shot. I remember the day the space shuttle Challenger exploded. South Carolina native Ronald McNair and the first teacher in space died in that catastrophe with five others. I even remember what I was wearing. Do you remember the specifics of Sept. 11, 2001? I remember hearing about the first tower then the second. The country came together and prayed. We wanted God to save us from the terrorists who had takPAGE 28
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The first several days of the quarantine were rainy. I remember feeling dejected, sad, and uninspired. What do you remember about those first days? The emotion is stronger if you write through the experience. Write as things occur and then as you remember. Keep written notes or record voice notes on your phone. Fill in the blanks before you go to bed. Because you’re tired, you don’t remember as much. Then overnight, the brain transfers thoughts from short-term to long-term memory. After we wake, we remember
more we can add to the journal. This can be fodder for self-reflection and for descriptions or plots. We are in a time similar to World War II or Vietnam. People won’t remember or understand how we felt while going through it. Future generations need the perspective of one living during this time. Below are several prompts to get you started journaling. What was your initial response to news of the novel coronavirus? • When and why did you decide you needed to amend your schedule? • What have you learned or considered in hindsight? • Have you experienced a change in your personality or response? Explain. • What are you grateful for? • Are you angrier or more kind, compassionate, or empathetic? • What are your thoughts on personal responsibility that you or others exhibited? • Did you participate in hoarding or sharing? • Did you gain or lose weight? Why? Was the change a result of self-control or eating junk food? • Did you struggle through an addiction? • Do you care to share what you learned
or how you reacted in another writing piece? Journaling is often a seed garden that inspires writing.
Draw from the emotion
When I can’t tap into a writing topic, I reread my journal or type handwritten entries into a Word document. Often, reading these and feeling the emotions inspire me to write. Sometimes those insights are only for myself. Other times, they are worth sharing. When I review my writing later, I often feel the emotions as raw as when I wrote them. This kind of unguarded writing affects readers. Can you capture that emotion when you write short stories, nonfiction, or your memoir? Sometimes the writing is just for your healing, and that’s okay. Are you recording your thoughts and experiences? The rewards are many, and I recommend releasing your thoughts and feelings highly. yc Beth Crosby is a freelance editor and writing coach. She works with individuals, publishers, and businesses. Contact her at Beth@EditorBeth.com.
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Photo Gallery York County Scrapbook
Prepared by Nancy Sambets, Director of Archives
Newlyweds of the past
M
ost couples enter into matrimony with a wedding ceremony that embodies some common traditions. Generally weddings are a civil or religious service that includes an exchange of vows. Prior to the 19th century, couples married for financial reasons rather than love with small ceremonies held at the home of their parents. By the time of Queen Victoria’s wedding in the 1840s, upper class couples were holding more elaborate weddings and brides followed her fashion of wearing a white wedding dress. Couples today may choose to incorporate some of these customs such as a bridal shower, reception with wedding cake, tossing a flower bouquet, and a honeymoon. Here are a few images of couples from the 19th and 20th centuries. yc
Undated photo of Berry T. Martin (1845-1899) and his wife Mary McPhail Martin (1849-1906) who were married in 1870 and lived in Anderson County, SC. Their grandchildren Lillian Hanks Sealy (1894-1957) and Neal A. Hanks (1907-1968) lived in York County, S.C. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.
Nancy Sambets is the Director of Archives at the Historical Center of York County in York. She has a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of South Carolina and has been employed as an archivist with the Culture & Heritage Museums since 2001. Her contact information is nsambets@chmuseums.org or 803818-6766.
This photo of Isaac Link Shaver (1919-2005) and his bride Clara Cole Caudle (1922- 2012) was taken on their wedding day January 1, 1943. Clara is the half-sister of Mary Frances Caudle (1909-2002), who married Neal A. Hanks on Feb. 4, 1934 and lived in York, S.C. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
This photograph of George David Edwards (1906-1947) and his bride Mildred Jeanette Biggers (1908-2003) was taken on their wedding day October 29, 1930. They lived in Charlotte, NC where he managed a laundry and they had one daughter. Both are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte. PH.000862. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.
Married on Dec. 8, 1872, this tintype of Dr. Alexander Hamilton McKenzie (1849-1912) and his wife Mary Jane McKenzie (1854-1948) was taken shortly after their wedding. Although both were born in York County, S.C. They lived in Yell County, Arkansas where they are buried. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
This portrait of an unidentified couple, found in a Byers family photograph album, was taken by photographer Charles Milton Bell, the youngest member of a family of photographers who operated a studio in Washington, D.C. He established his own studio in 1873 on Pennsylvania Avenue which became a leading photography studio for the city’s visitors and residents until it closed in 1909. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.
Married on Jan. 22, 1903, Samuel Alexander Hope (1877-1936) and his wife Isabelle Maloney Hope (1885-1975) are wearing their wedding clothes in this picture. They lived in Sharon, S.C., where he was the proprietor of a grocery store and together they raised three children. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, SC.
Married on June 16, 1943, William Virgil Rippy (1920-2013) and his wife Luella Dover Rippy (19232000) are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in this 1993 photo taken by photographer Dave Good (1931-1995). Mr. and Mrs. William V. Rippy are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in York, S.C. Courtesy of the Historical Center of York County, S.C.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Poetic Reflections
Poetically Speaking By Doris A. Ezell-Schmitz
That first day just won’t go away … The morning dragged along, with Jeffrey dragging me (A poetic tribute honoring all mothers) along with it. He had gotten me around his Lord, grant me the wisdom for reaching to touch, finger and was tossThe mother who loved so wonderfully much; ing me around like The one who has cared through all life’s long years, a rag doll soaked in No matter her burdens or trials or fears. apple-down vinegar. The one who bought me with her pocket’s last dime, I felt myself getting A book – one bleak Christmas – filled with sweet rhyme; dizzy, but the last The same mom who went without things for herself, thing I wanted was to Just so I could mark pace with everyone else. let Jeffrey, a scrawny, snot-nosed, 7th The mother who knew all the right words to say, grader, along with Who helped keep me happy each passing day; the other students, The mother who through my accomplishments shared, know this. With me joy, who stood by me those times that I erred. Students were engaged (a new way I thank you ten trillion and ten for my mother! to use this word) in In all of Your earth there was not another get-acquainted acLike her, for You see, she led me this far, tivities and how-myLighting my path, a bright, shiny star. summer-was-spent writing assignments Lord, invade her being and place in my heart, to give me informaThe special uniqueness of her natural art, tion on their academAnd please help my daughters, through their souls to see, ic backgrounds - very The beauty and strength of their grandmom in me. non-formal. Plus, the activity took class time to complete and y English Methods class had kept Jeff rey and the others busy. Evidently, fully prepared me for what I they all liked writing. Methods class had should do as far as classroom management went. It had taught me the taught that tidbit. Once they were finished, I had them ups and downs, the how and how not tos, when teaching a particular lesson or share what they had written. Of course, skill. It even cautioned me about the im- they pretended not to want to read aloud, portance of starting out to school early but I could tell they were quite proud of enough to ensure that I arrived in plenty their first “masterpieces.” They would be of time, avoiding the usual highway traf- put into a book, a class collection, First fic. My Methods class certainly addressed Writers’ Work, it was to be called. Oh, the wide eyes that emerged when they learned the basics. But nowhere, in any class, had I been that their first attempts were going to be taught what to do about a certain student “published.” The next step Methods had named Jeffrey Rhinehart. He had leapt taught was to allow each student to stand into my class, on the first day of school, on in front of the class and read aloud his/her the first day of my teaching career, like a manuscript. This seemed to settle Jeffrey down, esfire ball shot from Mars. He was jumping, pushing and shoving other students, bark- pecially when he “reluctantly” read his ing like a dog, and loudly calling, “Hey, entry about almost drowning. (I won’t Miss Teacher, What’s your name, anyway? say what I was thinking at the time and tried hard to keep the devilish smile from Huh?” This behavior continued until a teach- my lips.) After this, the ice seemed to be broken. er came into my room to settle the boy down. Why hadn’t I done it myself? Like Lunch time arrived. Since no one had I said, Methods class hadn’t taught that informed me about procedures, I didn’t skill; nor had it warned me about a Jef- know the teacher and his/her students frey Rhinehart. (with the teacher leading} were supposed
L-E-G-A-C-Y: Eternal Perfection
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to walk to the cafeteria in a straight line, sit together, and leave the cafeteria together, too. Well, of course, we walked as a group – almost - friends walking beside friends, sometimes four people thick, and once inside the cafeteria, they sat all over it, totally disregarding the table with the sign bearing MS. EZELL boldly typed. A blind person couldn’t have missed this table. When it was time for “Miss Ezell’s” group to leave the cafeteria, I, along with three or four students who were in line, looked around. “Something is quite wrong, here,” I reasoned with myself. “Where are my other students?” Losing most of your students at lunchtime on the first day of school had definitely not been taught in Methods class, though it did still leave me with a bit of common sense. “After today, girlfriend, you’re out of a job!” my inner thoughts chided. All I could do was take the few still with me back to class, hope, and wait for the others to trickle in, which was not likely to happen. And, of course, here’s dear Mr. Cook, our principal, standing well within sight, holding a clip board, jotting down notes, and watching the whole scenario. I know I was probably looking cheap. And what a time for my bladder to have to remind me of its presence! Oh, boy. “How’s everything going, Ms. Ezell?” he asked politely. I wanted to say what Mama always said when things were crazy, “… like trees walking.” But I just smiled and lied, “Just fine, Mr. Cook, just fine. Lunch was good.” Two white lies out of one disgruntled mouth. In an afterthought, I spoke up, “Mr. Cook, could you please, sir, watch my class while I step to the ladies’ room.” “Not a problem, Ms. Ezell, you go right along. And take as long as you need to.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” I beamed, relieved. I used the restroom quickly. When I got back out, Mr. Cook told me I could take the students to the restroom before returning to class. He gave them some candy. “A little reward for them being where they were supposed to be,” he added, smiling. Praises be, all of a sudden my students, all 20-something, showed up out of thin air. Of course, Jeffrey was the first to announce their arrival. “Ms. Ezell, we’re here. We didn’t see you when you left us all by oursefs in that lunchroom. When did ya’ll
leave, anyway?” He spotted the candy Mr. Cook was holding and said, “Oh, hi, Mr. Cook. May I please have a piece of that candy? It sure looks good! “No, you may not. This candy is for students who were where they were supposed to be, right?” Jeffrey could only hang his head and grin sheepishly. He knew he had won that round, this first day of school of my very first year. Still, I couldn’t stop the English teacher from popping out. (Jeffrey had said ‘oursefs’ to one of his friends.) “Jeffrey,” I quipped, “You have some homework.” His eyes bugged. He was completely baffled. Homework!!!???!!! I knew he was wondering, “How in the world did she know what I said?” “Oh, come on, Ms. Ezell, don’t give us any homework. It’s the first day of school. You just can’t! So please don’t give us any - pretty please” “Oh, my dear Jeffrey, I’m not giving the class homework; I’m giving you homework. The whole class didn’t mispronounce “ourselves,” only you did. So, please write five sentences correctly using the word, “ourselves,” Jeffrey please.” Mr. Cook was trying hard to keep a straight face. I didn’t know it then, but I would experience many more first days of school, 36-years- of-teaching-middle-school worth, plus my current college level teaching. And you can bet your last dollar that Jeffrey was and is still there, up front, in my face, his attitude and personality in full view. First days of school are like the beginnings of thread sown into a garment: we never know where it’s going until it arrives, simple wisdom that could have been born in my English Methods class, all those years ago. yc Doris A. Ezell-Schmitt is a former Language Arts teacher who taught at Chester Middle School, Chester, S.C. from 1978-2005. She also taught in Union County, NC, public schools as a Communications/Language teacher and as an English Instructor at York Technical College. She currently teaches at Clinton College. She has been published in national and regional journals and won first place in the Harvest of the Arts poetry contest. She has been a featured reader at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and MOJA Jamboree. She reads original poetry during open mike Sunday held each month. She loves words and uses them to narrate her true-life stories
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Cocktails
Open Source Mixology By Grady Johnson
To shake or not to shake The cocktail shaker
The first thing you should know is those shiny metal shakers with the strainer built into the lid are pieces of junk. They leak, freeze shut and are enough of a nuisance to take all the mojo out of your swanky setup. So be a pro and make yourself a Boston shaker. It’s easy. Throw away the lid with the built-in strainer and get a heavy- duty glass that fits about a third of the way inside the opening of the metal shaker. The typical Boston shaker glass is shaped like a pint glass, has a bunch of cheesy drink rec-
ipes painted on it, and you can often find them in thrift or antique stores for cheap. Having a vintage Boston shaker brings a hip vibe to the whole cocktail experience.
To shake or stir
Sean Connery as James Bond probably did more to confuse this issue than anyone. People will order anything he does because he’s so darn suave and, well, Bond. I hope I don’t get shot with a Walther PPK for saying this, but he got this one wrong. Assuming you include a quality dry vermouth in your recipe, you will ruin a wonderfully
complex martini by shaking the heck out of it with ice. It tastes like tap water with gin and weird wine. Gently stir your next martini in a swanky glass pitcher with ice and you will see what I mean. So the rule of thumb is - stir your martinis and if a drink recipe includes fruit juice, shake it.
Ice matters
You are shaking a drink with ice for two reasons. The obvious one is to cool it down. Not so obvious, is to dilute it with water. So the longer you shake it, the more water that goes into the mix. So use your judgment
based on how strong you and your guests like your drinks. And for goodness sake, strain your drink onto fresh ice cubes and discard the ones from the shaker. There are some very nice cocktail strainers to be had. Or you can just use your fingers if you are standing over the sink making cocktails in your bathrobe and fuzzy slippers, you classy devil you. yc Grady Johnson is an award-winning competitive mixologist based in South Carolina.
Recipe The Summertime - 2 oz. Southern Comfort - 2 oz. pineapple juice - 2 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice Measure ingredients into a Boston shaker. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into ice filled rocks glass. Cheers!
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yc Parks & Recreation May 2020
Get Off the Couch!
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
Recreation Departments: Clover Parks & Recreation: 803-222-9493; cloversc.org Fort Mill Parks & Recreation: 803-547-2273; fortmillsc.gov Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism: 803-329-5620; cityofrockhill.com/prt
By Laurie Helms
Tega Cay Parks & Recreation: 803-548-3516; tegacaysc.org
Rolling with the punches
York Parks & Recreation: 803-648-3742; yorksc.gov
hunts, craft projects (with items around the house), at-home workouts and sports drills, puzzles and more. More planning is now required for some tasks. Organizing a meeting involves setting up conference calls and distributing call-in procedures to attendees. No more stopping by the store to pick up a couple of items. We plan so we can make fewer trips; and we make sure to take a mask with us. More than ever, parents are teaming up to handle work situations, daycare and helping with schoolwork. Our vocabulary has even changed. The word “essential” is used a lot more often and “social distancing,” a term I’d never heard before, has come into being.
Strength in Numbers
Glencairn Garden in Rock Hill is a great place for a spring walk, while observing social distancing. Challenge your family to point out all the different colors they see; or the different animals. Count the number of turtles you find taking a sunbath in the fountain! (Photo/ Laurie Helms)
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f the two choices, I tend to be a “glass half full” person. I try to find the positive; try to look on the brighter side of things. These days, however, it is a challenge as we collectively struggle with the “new normal” that we hope will be over soon. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes to daily life that we never imagined. It occupies the news, our thoughts and our prayers. “Rolling with the punches” is a phrase I heard a lot over the years from my dad. It describes what we are trying to do as we look for resources and for our community
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to pull together to get through this health and economic crisis.
Learning to Adapt
As guidelines for staying safe from the virus have come down through the CDC, SC DHEC and the Governor’s office, we’ve found methods for adapting. We’ve been forced to review our priorities and shift them when circumstances change, or new information becomes available. While parks and recreation agencies want to be available to serve the public, especially when we are most needed, we must be cautious and heed the directives from
these organizations. As of the publishing deadline for this May YC Magazine issue, open spaces and trails in city of Rock Hill parks are open, although other facilities, playgrounds and programs are closed. Yet, we know this could change tomorrow. Check the status of your local facilities before venturing out for exercise and fresh air. With fewer options for spending free time, we’ve adapted how we deliver leisure services to you. On social media, you’ve seen parks and recreation agencies and other organizations offer creative ways to keep you busy. You can find scavenger
One of the biggest challenges is not knowing how long this health crisis will last. If this were a race, we’d know it was a 5K or a marathon, and we’d pace accordingly. It’s difficult to pace when we’re not sure how far we are from the end. I was not surprised to know of the Friday night event held outside Piedmont Medical Center last month where hundreds “drove in” to show support for all those helping to care for patients. We know these health care providers are putting their lives at risk treating others and taking extra safety precautions before going home to their own families. Individuals and businesses have left signs and messages of thanks for healthcare heroes. They’ve brought pizzas and sweet treats and done other acts of kindness to show their support. Another way to show support is by pulling together to follow guidelines and stay well so we become one less person needing medical care and putting a strain on our medical system. What we have as a source of strength is each other. We have many organizations dedicated to helping others. We have family and friends checking on one another. And we have great health care providers, first responders and all those working in our medical facilities. In York County, we are truly blessed to have a community that cares! yc Laurie Helms is the Marketing Coordinator for the city of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. She can be reached at laurie. helms@cityofrockhill.com.
yc A Dog’s Life
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Pawprints On Our Heart By Lauren Paige Powell
The special bond of a rescue pet
someone walks by. Some dogs nip out of fear or hide under the bed. When they are exhibiting these behaviors, they are communicating to you. There are dogs that get scared when fireworks go off. That particular dog could have been shot at. You just never know. Everyone has a story. I have heard so many of my clients say, “There are so many dogs at the shelter, how will I know which dog is right for my family?” or “I don’t want a shelter dog, I don’t know where they came from.” To address the first question, when you walk into that shelter, humane society or rescue organization and you spend time with a few of the dogs that pique your interest, that dog will choose you. You will be chosen by a dog(s). Second, nobody knows their past and, most likely, you never will, either. But always know these dogs are looking for love, just like we are. I also ask you to consider one of my fa-
Lauren Paige Powell is a canine behavioral specialist and the owner/operator of Gallop and Growl. For more information visit www.GallopAndGrowl.com.
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eye contact with any of the dogs that are behind those cages, you will know what I am talking about. It’s those dogs’ eyes that tell a story, a story that man could never understand. A story that is so deep and so powerful that it would take your breath away. Most of these dogs are neglected, abandoned, starved, beaten, used as bait dogs, run over by cars, dragged by trucks, the list goes on and on. I volunteered at our local shelter a few years ago and one dog came in and the owner had cut its tongue out. Another owner had pulled the dogs teeth out to use as a bait dog so she couldn’t fight back when she was being mauled by fighting dogs. Think about the most horrific situation and it’s happened to most of these dogs. Just like humans, some dogs are more damaged than others. Some humans drink or take medication to cope with their pain. Some dogs growl or cower down when
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umans can talk about their past and I am here to tell you that dogs communicate as well. It’s a matter of watching, listening, and knowing what their body language is telling you. As a Canine Behavioral Specialist, that is what I am trained to do, but not everyone understands animal communication, and I am here to help. I have worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of dog and horse owners over the years. I have worked with purebreds and mixed breeds and everything in between. Some think that because they are purchasing a dog from a breeder or a pet store, they are getting the “perfect dog”. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, what you see isn’t always what you get. Let’s discuss the impact of adoption, rescuing and fostering. If you have ever visited the shelters or rescue organizations and stopped just long enough to make
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vorite and so often overlooked groups: the older dogs and those with disabilities. Dogs who have lost an eye, or a leg, or they have been run over or somebody threw them out their car window and they have been found on the highway late at night. These dogs need love too. Just like you and I. Older dogs are typically the first to be euthanized in a crowded shelter if they are not adopted in a timely manner. A little secret for you these older dogs are often house trained, are well mannered, have basic obedience and are typically not “problem dogs.” They are calmer and less energetic than younger dogs and you can teach an old dog new tricks. Adopting a disabled dog can be rewarding in so many ways. You are most likely saving the dog from being euthanized and providing an opportunity for you and your family to be rewarded and inspired with unconditional love. Special needs pets are incredibly inspiring to be around, they are fiercely loyal and can give you a boost of confidence and courage when you have to face your own challenges in life. Make sure to check out our local shelters or rescues such as Project Safe Pet, Halfway There Rescue, Every Life Matters, Humane Society of York County, Friends of York County Animal Shelter, just to name a few. Every single dog I have ever owned has been a rescue. I have saved their lives. You could save a life and you might be surprised that in turn, you are being saved, too. yc
We are open 8a-6p M-F and 8a-2p Sat.
Offering curbside service only.
We treat your pets
like family Dr. Robin LePardo
803-985-2224
2360 Celanese Road • Rock Hill, SC CentralCarolinasAnimalHospital.com PAGE 35
yc
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Nutrition & Food Safety
Your Food, Your Kitchen, And You
Shop your stash
C
lemson Extension staff around the state continue to work on providing researched-based, non-biased information for South Carolinians. While we aren’t providing face-to-face programs, we are available via phone and email, and we’re writing articles / blogs, posting on Facebook, creating videos, offering (a few) online classes, etc. My Program Team colleagues around the state and I are specifically working to offer healthy suggestions for food preparation and being physically active through this time in which we are all living. One of the suggestions was “using what you have on hand”. A beauty YouTuber called it ‘shop your stash’ as she described using what you have one hand. With that, I will share a simple dish I prepared a few days ago and my family really enjoyed. I had a bag of pasta shells on hand and I can’t even recall where or when I purchased it; I often venture into trying different foods and it was purchased in past few months. This pasta isn’t made from semolina flour as most pasta but from brown rice flour. People are looking for alternatives to traditional grain food
products and the food industry is offering many alternatives - many without gluten, etc. A few months ago, I prepared linguine made from soybeans and I just didn’t like it. I couldn’t get over the texture and the flavor didn’t make up for that. I don’t know if it was the ‘brand’ but having that experience detoured me from cooking the brown rice pasta shells for a few weeks. And if I don’t like it it’s fair to say my family won’t either (I’m like “Mikey”, I’ll eat just about anything!). I decided to make a chicken/pasta dish; I had a roasted chicken on hand from the deli that needed to be eaten up. I wanted to try the brown rice pasta shells and intended to serve a ‘chicken / pasta salad’. I prepared the brown rice pasta shells (I just about always put a little olive oil in my water) and the pasta turned out pretty good! The shells were tender and no ‘off taste’. Of course, I tasted the pasta when it was just cooked and still warm and I liked it so well, I decided to prepare a ‘hot’ chicken/pasta dish! I’ve probably mentioned in other articles that I regularly saute diced onions
By Angela P. Forbes, MS, RDN, LD
with a small amount of minced garlic in olive oil to enhance/build flavor in dishes. When the onions were tender and ‘glassy’ I added the (drained) pasta and some cilantro. I always have dried cilantro on hand, but fresh would work, too. I used a small amount of all-purpose seasoning (you can omit that if you do not want the added sodium). I added the chicken (I had already pulled off of the bones) to the pan, stirring it in. My creation tasted ok but needed ‘something’. I drained a can of diced tomatoes (saving the liquid) and added theses and a few sprinkles of Italian seasoning and basil. I believe the tomatoes hit the nail on the head – it was just the right amount of sweetness and acidity the dish needed to lift the flavor up! I ended up adding the tomato juice, too - I thought the chicken/pasta dish needed more fluid. I also added a little cottage cheese – maybe a serving spoon-size scoop. I love using (1% fat) cottage cheese in cooking – it adds a little bit of ‘sour’ and an extra flavor along with protein, calcium, some B vitamins and other minerals. By the way, if you use olive oil and saute
for more than just a couple of minutes, your food will ‘soak up’ the olive oil and possibly stick to the pan. I typically use an inexpensive ‘store brand’ olive oil so the smoke point is probably pretty low. And that’s ok, it still provides the general flavor I seek. But you may find your dish ‘drying out’ if you continue heating it. And that’s all I did. We had croissants and black beans with it. (I sometimes use canned black beans by draining, rinsing, place in frying pan with onions, olive oil and adding cumin and cilantro) Easy! I wasn’t planning to add a lot of ingredients to my creation but wanted it to taste just right and I was blown away by the flavor change upon adding plain, diced tomatoes! I continue to learn, but the right amount of acidity, sweetness, and savory is such a fun balance to achieve! yc Angela P. Forbes, MS, RDN, LD, is the Regional Food Safety and Nutrition Agent at the Clemson University - Cooperative Extension Service offices in York. She strives to bring practical and useful information that is researched-based to the citizens of South Carolina. You can reach her at 803-385-6181.
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yc Your Library
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Check It Out
By Stacy Williams
We’re still working for you
T
he spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents public agencies with significant challenges. York County Library is monitoring COVID-19 with local, state, and national health officials. As a precaution and at the direction of York County management, York County Library is closed to the public until further notice. Even though we have had to close our doors, we are still working to provide you with the best service possible. With a Library card, York County residents have access to online reference resources, homework help, learning courses, and a Virtual Library. We will continue to make updates to our services, to better serve our community. If you have questions or need to contact us while we are closed, please visit online at yclibrary.org/contact-us. We will still monitor messages received, although our reply may be delayed more than usual. For more updates, visit yclibrary.org and follow the Library’s Facebook page @yorkcountylibrary for announcements.
York County Library eCard
Would you like to use our digital services, but don’t have a library card? We now have a solution for you. Introducing the York County Library eCard! YCL eCards are temporary library card numbers that are available to York County, SC residents only. An email address is required to be issued an eCard. Applications will be processed within 24 hours of receipt, Monday through Friday. Once the library reopens, eCard holders may visit a branch
with proof of identity and be given a YCL card. Apply online at yclibrary.org/applyfor-library-card.
Visit the Library – From Home!
Let our Virtual Library and a YCL card bring the Library to you! You’ll find resources, learning tools, and even movies, TV, music, audio/eBooks, and magazines! Visit yclibrary.org/virtual-library for access to these free resources and more: • Hoopla: Provides movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and comics for your TV, desktop, and mobile devices. • Freegal Music: Offers to over 15 million songs from over 40,000 music labels. Download 3 Freegal® MP3s each week. YCL patrons can also enjoy 24-hours of music streaming until September 30, 2020. • Flipster: Offers a variety of popular magazine titles for adults, teens, and children. Access titles anytime, anywhere on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. • Overdrive: Delivers best-selling and classic eBooks and digital audiobooks anytime, anywhere for your computer, tablet, smartphone, or eReader. Download titles with the free OverDrive or Libby app for mobile devices. • RBdigital: Combines eBook and audiobook titles, including bestsellers and exclusives, full-color digital magazines, and streaming video. • Brainfuse: Tutors and sessions are available 24/7. HelpNow users can study with classmates online using the MEET feature. For more information, visit yclibrary.org/homework-help.
• Ancestry Library Edition: YCL patrons can now enjoy genealogy projects from home. Please note, a YCL card is required to use this service. Visit databases.yclibrary.net. • Virtual Escape Rooms: Up for a challenge? Navigate through one of our virtual escape rooms from home. Visit yclibrary.org to join the fun!
New Discus Resources
With school closings around the state due to COVID-19, Discus - South Carolina’s Virtual Library has temporarily acquired access to new vendor-provided and state-funded resources: Tutor.com, TumbleMath, and TeenBookCloud. Access all three resources from the ‘A-Z List’ or ‘By Grade Level’ tabs at scdiscus.org.
Let’s Get Creative!
Want to learn a new skill or work on a DIY project at home? Creativebug.com has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Creativebug is free for YCL cardholders. New users must create an account. Expired library card? Library fines? No worries! Account restrictions have been lifted to access this service. Visit creativebug.com/lib/yclibrary to get started!
YCL Youtube
Did you know the York County Library is on Youtube? You can now see your favorite YCL staff members reading storybooks, hosting virtual programs, and offering instructional tutorials online. The Library’s Youtube channel will also feature special exercise and meditation classes from professional instructors and more! Subscribe to our channel today by visiting youtube. com/YorkCountyLibrary!
Summer Learning Challenge
We invite all ages to join the fun this summer while reading at home! York County Library will host the 2020 Imagine Your Story Summer Learning Challenge Monday, June 8, through Friday, July 31. Online participants can use Beanstack, a fun, interactive service for all ages, that gives you digital badges and incentives as you progress! Participants may register
online at yclibrary.beanstack.org. Early registration for the program begins online, Monday, May 11. Each age group is encouraged to read ten-plus hours. Summer program performances will be made accessible online for viewing and prize/award information will be announced later. Due to COVID-19, please note that registration/start dates and program information is subject to change. Please be sure to visit yclibrary.org for special announcements. The Summer Learning Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the York County Library. yc Stacy Williams is the Marketing Manager of the York County Library. She may be contacted by email at stacy.williams@yclibrary.org. York County Libraries are located in Fort Mill, Clover, York, Lake Wylie and Rock Hill.
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Part of YOUR COMMUNITY! PAGE 37
yc Animal Health May 2020
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
Living With Animals By Bert Platt, DVM
COVID-19 and pet health
W
hat a difference a month makes! At the deadline for last month’s YC Magazine columns, midMarch, coronavirus had killed several thousand people worldwide, including 60 in the US. As of late April, U.S. deaths associated with this illness have surpassed 60,000. Social distancing and isolation have been enforced by “Stay at Home” orders and large segments of the global economy have shut down; indeed, much of what we have always considered “normal” has changed dramatically. All of us have been affected by the fallout from this unprecedented situation. YC Magazine is a wonderful source of information for many subjects, but not for this; events are moving just too fast to keep up with in a monthly publication. At risk of being proven very wrong by the time this edition is distributed, I’ll share a few personal thoughts, but then try to get back to a discussion of how this pandemic has affected the medical care that we provide our pets. The early projections of 2.2 million deaths from Covid-19 in the U.S. alone (they’ve even changed the name of the pandemic since last month) frightened many and impacted public policy. Today, perhaps because of the steps taken, the death projections of this illness have been revised drastically downward. WithPAGE 38
depositphotos.com out some of those steps being taken this illness may have overwhelmed local health care resources and could have resulted in a much more severe death toll. Even with the most conservative estimates, we all need to know that any death from this is a personal tragedy, and as I said last month, each family affected needs our prayers and support. I do not envy those who have the responsibility of making the policy decisions for this outbreak. The families of those affected will always think the officials have done too little too late, and the people who have lost jobs or businesses will think that they overreacted. As we get more data on this illness, we can hopefully begin to help families and the fabric of our society get back to something more like normal. Indeed, as I write this, many researchers are predicting that we have already reached the peak of new cases; hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have all crawled out of our caves. Finally, a personal note of thanks to all of those on the front lines of dealing with this illness. Our healthcare professionals put themselves at risk as they minister to their patients and families, and all of us should have a renewed appreciation of their dedication and professionalism. So, how has this affected healthcare for our pets? First, note that veterinary care is consid-
ered an essential business; pet health and human health are deeply connected and our relationships with our pets add to our physical and emotional health. That said, it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing as we care for our animal patients. Veterinary medicine is a very personal, hands-on profession, and the close physical interaction with patients and clients has always been a big part of what we do. Veterinarians have responded to this new situation in many ways. Just as with many businesses, keeping clients separated in the parking lots and waiting rooms has been instituted, and many practices are limiting how many clients can be in the office at one time. Some are having staff members bring client pets into the office, with the owners staying outside in their cars. Many offices have limited elective surgeries or other procedures to reduce the opportunities for personal contact. Some have had to reduce staff to limit contact or accommodate for the reduction in patient load. Boarding and grooming have been more limited because of the stay at home orders. One innovative response that provides social distancing is an increased use of telemedicine. As many of us who have school or office meetings or Sunday School classes on “Zoom”-like internet services have
discovered, technology now allows us to work or meet from home, and veterinary office visits may never be the same. Phone consultations have always been a big part of how veterinarians help their clients, and now the tools have been fine-tuned so that audio, video, and documents can be transmitted for the vet to review in real time. Bloodwork, EKG’s, heart rate, and other health parameters can be evaluated via computer or smartphone. I hope that telemedicine never takes the place of personal interaction between pets and vets, but I am glad that it is another tool that can be used. In-person conferences and continuing education meetings for veterinarians have been cancelled, so approved on-line education opportunities have been expanded so that vets can stay up to date with the latest animal health information. You may have heard that a very few pets have been diagnosed with coronavirus. As I mentioned last month, several types of coronavirus have been found in many species of animals for years, so this is no surprise. The new human coronavirus can, in very limited situations, apparently live in animals, but there is no evidence that people can catch coronaviruses from animals. As we should all be doing anyway, even before this pandemic, hand-washing and other good hygiene measures are important. Much more information about Covid19 will surface by the time next month’s edition of YC Magazine is published. My prayer is that we will see major improvements by then, both for the illness and for the consequences to peoples’ (and pets’) lives. yc Bert Platt has lived and practiced veterinary medicine in York County for four decades, seeing many changes and advances in pet medical care during that time. The love and relationships between pets and families have remained constant, though, and he is still passionate about the many new ways that veterinarians can help make those relationships the best they can be. Bert’s monthly Animal Health column will address a variety of medical and animal welfare issues, focusing on how those issues impact and enhance the lives of animals and people. Bert and his wife, Nancy, enjoy their time together traveling and are active in their church and community. They are blessed to be surrounded by four generations of family who also call York County home. Questions or comments can be sent to Bert at bertplatt@me.com.
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
yc The Great Outdoors May 2020
Go Play Outside By Cameron Shook
York County’s first true park
• ORS FLO G MG M J • • J RS ORS LO for several can contact L O O years. You R F tiful views of the Catawba River? Check. YC Magazine F G LOO MG • JM • J through G F Cameron camshuck@gmail.com. J MYou RS RS • O O G Interesting terrain, with fascinating histoO O M S L L F • J OR G F can •locate other columns comments by JMG FLO J Mof ORS OCam G and ry? Double check. Originally, most this L S M R F J R O • O at www.shookscamphere.com G J Mfollow himMonG F L O FLO • or ORS RS J property was a Bowater tree laboratory, JMG FLO O • O G RS FL • JM • J M Instagram @shookscamphere. LOO ORS ORS where they would hybridize Fdiff erent types O R S • J M G G F LO FLO • JM G O S LOO L M J R F G F of pines, making them grow larger S • LOO J M G and • JM G F OOR S L M R J F • JM O • G faster. The remnants of this are visible FLO ORS • JM O R S in FLO JMG RS FLO • O G O LOO JM RS FL several ways: First, you have an enormous G F S • LOO JMG • JM OOR G F S L M R F J • J O old greenhouse that they did this work in,• JMG RS FLO ORS S • LOO MG R J F FLO O • G LO and they say on moonless nights you canF L O • JM ORS G F JMG FLO • JM ORS G O S L M R • hear the moans of the souls of the Fran• J G F LOO RS RS • JM G F LOO LOO RS • JM G F ken-trees made there. Second,Fand more S L M LOO J R F F • G LOO MG • JM ORS importantly, there are groves of someJof theS • J M G F RS FLO • O G O L ORS • JM OR G F LO FLO largest pine trees I’ve ever seenFin South • JM ORS G O S M L J R F F • LOO MG JMG RS G F Carolina, spaced out with lush green Jgrass S • LOO • JM G F OOR S S L M R J R F O • O G L O can growing all around them. Finally,Fyou FLO • JM ORS JMG RS FLO FLO S • LOO G R JMG F M tell this was a working tree farm of sorts, O DMEGC O R A T VLEO F L O O R RS • J • J RS GIF O O S M O J R L • FLO in that there are nearly 20 miles of Fservice LOO G F G R SS P E C I A M M L I S T O J J O • • RS FL LOO ORS ORS roads and trails already cut through the JMG G F FLO FLO M J G G • G • JM • JM • JM ORS property. ORS ORS RS FLO FLO FLO LOO MG R J F O • G Now, if we’re still in lockdown (please FLO • JM ORS JMG RS FLO • O G O S M L R J G God, I hope not) by the time you’re read-J M G F S • LOO • JM G F OOR M S L J R F O ing this, you’re probably thinking, “man, O G S • FLO FLO • JM OOR JMG RS let’s go out there and take a look!” Well, J M G F L S • M LOO J R F • O LO MG ORS G F not so fast. This park is still very much La O O R S • J FLO • JM G S M F • J OR RS work in progress and is not open just quite J M G F L O LOO G F M J yet. Remember how I said that York Coun- O R S • FLO
JMG
FLOORS
G
Landsford Canal State Park(Photo/Cameron Shook)
reat Outdoors huh? That’s a term that, as I’m writing this, seems very weird and very different compared to what it meant this time last year. State parks have their gates locked, the boat launches have all been closed, and even the walking trails of city parks have been marked “off limits” in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19. Short of walking around your own property, there really isn’t any opportunity for you to get out and experience what I think everyone who reads this article loves: The Great Outdoors. And people really do love being outside; whether it’s riding bikes, fishing, kayaking, hiking, hunting, disc golf, etc, people were going out in such great numbers that apparently physical distance was impossible, which led to an executive order making us all stay home. Part of that is the lack of good places to go. Public land open to everyone isn’t as prevalent as you’d think, and in York County we have one state park, several DNR properties, a myriad of city parks and
greenways — and that’s been about it until recently. An oddity in York County is that it doesn’t have a Parks and Recreation department. It holds Ebenezer Park and a few pieces of property on the western side of the county, but other than that, there’s not any land held by the county for the recreation and enjoyment of the people. That’s changing in a big way, though, with the current River Bend project that’s taking place along the Catawba River. In December 2018, York County made an investment in the millions of dollars to purchase the site of its first true park and make it a destination for everyone to enjoy. With 1,900 contiguous acres, almost five miles of riverfront, rolling hills, and 8 ponds all held in a conservation easement, without reservation, I can tell you this is my favorite piece of property along the Catawba River, bar none. I was given the chance to take a tour of the property, and I can safely say this has it all. Open grassy meadows? Check. Ponds and lakes perfect for kayaking, fishing, or both? Check. Beau-
ty doesn’t really have a Parks and Recreation Department? Well, you can’t really build a park without also having a team in place to take care of and manage it once it’s complete. There’s still so much that needs to be done. But, you can do what always makes the most difference in getting things accomplished in government: Bend the ear of your elected representative, let them know this park is important to you, and you want this project to succeed. That means calling, writing, visiting, and generally annoying your county council member and, when needed, showing up to county council meetings to voice your support for the project. I’m attached to this project now in more than just a casual interest; I’m going to do everything that I can to make this park a place where generations of families can go, make memories, and return to year after year. As needed, I will be providing updates in the pages of YC Magazine as well as on my social media @shookscamphere on both Facebook and Instagram. yc Cameron Shook is an avid outdoors enthusiast who has more outdoor experience than most people twice his age. Cameron is also an avid photographer whose images have been seen in
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FLOORS L IC EN SED & IN SU R ED PAGE 39
yc Aging
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Upcoming Second Harvest Hunger Relief sites
Successfully Senior By Deb Pittman
4/29
Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1003 Steele St., Fort Mill
5/11
Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1003 Steele St., Fort Mill
Aging at home safely
M
ost seniors prefer to age in place. The decision to do so is often about safety and comfort, as it allows seniors to stay within the home and community they’re familiar with. In fact, there are many benefits to aging in place—keeping one’s independence, staying in familiar surroundings, and avoiding the expense of a full-time care facility are just a few. It’s important for seniors wishing to “age in place” to avoid a fall. Six out of every 10 falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. Many falls could be prevented by making simple changes in our personal and lifestyle areas, as well as in our living areas.
Personal and Lifestyle Areas
• Older people with weak muscles are more likely to fall than those who maintain their
muscle strength, as well as their flexibility and endurance. • Your balance and your gait—how you walk—are other key factors. Older adults who have poor balance or difficulty walking are more likely than others to fall. These problems may be linked to a lack of exercise or to a neurological cause, arthritis, or other medical conditions and their treatments. • Blood pressure that drops too much when you get up from lying down or sitting can increase your chance of falling. This condition — called postural hypotension — might result from dehydration, or certain medications. It might also be linked to diabetes, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, or an infection. • Some people with postural hypotension feel dizzy when their bold pressure drops. Other people don’t feel dizzy, even
•
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•
•
Aging & Disability Resource Center •
• • •
Family Caregiver Support Program Long Term Care Options Medicare Counseling Extra Help Programs
• • •
Medication Management Fraud Prevention Information, Referral & Assistance •
•
Chester, Lancaster, Union, York Counties (803) 329-9670 1-800-662-8330 www.Catawba-Aging.com 2051 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732
PAGE 40
if their blood pressure drops a lot when they get up. Your reflexes may be slower than when you were younger. The increased amount of time it takes you to react may make it harder to catch your balance if you start to fall. Foot problems that cause painful feet and wearing unsafe footwear can increase your chance of falling. Backless shoes and slippers, high-heeled shoes, and shoes with smooth leather soles are examples of unsafe footwear that could cause a fall. Sensory problems can cause falls, too. If your senses don’t work well, you might be less aware of your environment. For instance, having numbness in your feet means you don’t sense where you are stepping. Not seeing well can also result in falls. One reason is that it may take a while for your eyes to adjust to see clearly when you move between darkness and light. Other vision problems contributing to falls include poor depth perception, cataracts, and glaucoma. Wearing multi-focal glasses while walking or having poor lighting around your home can also lead to falls. Confusion, even for a short while, can sometimes lead to falls. For example, if you wake up in an unfamiliar environment, you might feel unsure of where you are. If you feel confused, wait for your mind to clear or until someone comes to help you before trying to get up and walk around. Some medications can increase a person’s risk of falling because they cause side effects like dizziness or confusion. The health problems for which the person takes the medications may also contribute to the risk of falls. The more medications you take the more likely you are to fall. People who take four or more prescription drugs have a greater risk of falling than do people who take fewer drugs. You should check with your doctor if you think your medications are causing dizziness or unsteadiness. Your doctor can tell you which drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, might cause problems. Do not change your medications on your own.
Living Areas
Take simple steps to “fall proof” your
home, both inside and outdoors. To make your home safer, you can remove or avoid safety hazards. • Eliminate loose rugs or throw rugs • Eliminate clutter on the floor or stairs • Put non-slip strips on steps or rubber mat of your tub or shower • Don’t carrying heavy or bulky things up or down stairs • Install stair railings • Install properly placed grab bars in the bathroom • Move often used items to make them easier to reach An important step toward preventing falls at home is to remove anything that could cause you to trip or slip while walking. Tripping on clutter, small furniture, pet bowls, electrical or phone cords, or other things can cause you to fall. Arrange furniture to give you plenty of room to walk freely. Also, remove items from stairs, hallways, and pathways. At home and elsewhere, try to avoid wet floors and clean up spills right away. Use only non-skid wax on waxed floors at home. Improving indoor and outdoor lighting can decrease your risk of falls. Make sure you have enough lighting in each room, at entrances, and on outdoor walkways. Use light bulbs that have the highest wattage recommended for the fixture. •Good lighting on stairways is especially important. Light switches at both the top and bottom of stairs can help. •Place a lamp within easy reach of your bed. Put night lights in the bathroom, hallways, bedroom, and kitchen. •Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up. Second Harvest Hunger Relief Second Harvest Food Bank and non-profit agencies serve low income people who need food assistance. They include children, the elderly and disabled on fixed incomes, the working poor, people who are unemployed, the homeless, and families in crisis. Second Harvest Food Bank delivers donated food to Hunger Relief Church Sites around 9 a.m. Participants will be given direction by Hunger Relief coordinators and volunteers. yc More information about aging and issues important to senior citizens is available at www. aging.sc.gov or by calling Deb Pittman at 803-329-9670
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
May 2020
FULL MOON Monday, May 7 – 6:40 p.m. LAST QUARTER Monday, May 14 – 10:03 a.m. NEW MOON Tuesday, May 22 – 1:39 p.m. FIRST QUARTER Monday, May 29 – 11:30 p.m.
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
Branded
Works by Craig Stevens
T
he Arts Council of York County presents Branded, works by Craig Stevens online at yorkcountyarts. org/2020branded from May 1 – June 14, 2020. There, patrons can learn more about the artist, view his artwork, and take a virtual tour of the Dalton Gallery at the Center for the Arts. Influenced by the signs of the times, Craig Stevens’ layered works underscore the passage of time, memories that remain, and the shadows of a life once lived and how their influence shapes the person one becomes. Stevens builds time capsules that communicate messages, obvious & hidden, that have been cobbled together from life changing experiences & his years in advertising. These mash-ups combine iconic images in layers for each individual to explore & experience in their own way.
Also online from May 1 – June 14, 2020
• Perimeter Gallery: Catawba River Art Guild • yorkcountyarts.org/2020crag Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Arts Council of York County’s offices and galleries are closed until further notice (@yorkcountyarts and @uffyc) and websites (yorkcountyarts.org and underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org) for the most recent updates regarding scheduled events.
Annual literary competitions: call for entries Poetry & Short Story | Youth & Adult
T
he Arts Council of York County presents the 17th Annual Literary Competition, highlighting the best in short stories and poetry from across the Southeast United States; and the 9th Annual Youth Literary Competition, highlighting the best in short stories and poetry by students enrolled in K-12 programs from across York County. The postmark deadline for entries is Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. The annual Literary Competitions include two categories, short story and poetry. Each category will be judged independently. Authors may enter both the short story and the poetry competition, and entries are eligible to win an award in each competition, however, there will be no repeat prizewinners within the categories. The winners of the 9th Annual Youth Literary Competition will be awarded certificates of achievement.
Awards
Short Story 1st Place: $125 2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Poetry
1st Place: $125 2nd Place: $75 3rd Place: $50 There are no restrictions on subject matter. Winning submissions will be published in the Cotton Alley Writers’ Review, an online literary magazine published annually by the Arts Council of York County at https://issuu.com/yorkcountyarts. For complete guidelines and entry information, please visit yorkcountyarts.org/literarycalls. Entry fees for the adult competition are: Non-members: $15 per entry; ACYC members: $10 per entry. There are no entry fees for those entering the youth competition. The Perihelion Book Club has underwritten prizes and awards. The Perihelion Book Club, as a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, began in 1898 as a literary and social club in Rock Hill. Over the years, club members, individually and as a club, have supported literacy in the community in a
variety of ways - by conducting story hour at elementary schools, purchasing books for school libraries and funding a scholarship at Winthrop University. Today its members continue to share their love of literature with each other and to eagerly support literacy efforts in the community by raising funds at an auction held annually at its December meeting. The Perihelion Book Club is very proud to encourage writers of short stories and poetry by funding prizes for this competition. All participants are invited to a free, public reception and awards ceremony to be held at the Center for the Arts, 121 East Main Street, Rock Hill on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. where the winners will be announced. Winners are encouraged to read passages from their work at the reception. yc The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at (803)328-2787, by email at arts@ yorkcountyarts.org, or visit our webpage at http://www.yorkcountyarts.org.
Thank you York County Health Care workers! We love you. Stay safe PAGE 42
yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine
May 2020
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May 2020
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yc magazine... York County’s Entertainingly Informative Magazine