Elgin News - 5A 2023

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Letters to the Editor

The Elgin News

P.O. Box 152

Elgin, SC 29045

fire.

An in-depth seminar on the tragedy will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Camden Revolutionary War Visitors Center (212 Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020). The anniversary recognition service will start at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the school memorial site (410 Cleveland School Rd, Camden, SC 29020). Services will then pause and everyone will travel by vehicle in a slow processional to the mass burial site, located at the Beulah United Methodist Church (820 Beulah Church Rd, Camden, SC 29020). Services will continue and conclude at the Beulah United Methodist Church. At both events, special recognition will be given to any descendants of survivors and victims in attendance. All events are free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

The fire occurred on May 17, 1923, at the Cleveland School, located in the present-day Charlotte Thompson community of Kershaw County. The two-story school served approximately 100 students from the surrounding area. On that fateful Thursday evening, over 250 people were estimated to be in attendance for the end of the school year assembly. This assembly was significant because it also was the last time the school was to be used. In the fall, the students were scheduled to transfer to the newly established Charlotte Thompson School.

Tragedy struck when during the assembly, an oil lamp being used to illuminate the stage fell from its mount. The oil spilled across the stage and ignited the stage curtains. The fire was unable to be extinguished by those in attendance and the crowd rushed toward the single exit from the second floor. This exit became jammed by the crowd, and many were forced to jump from windows to save their lives.

The fire, which killed 77 people, was the deadliest school fire in South Carolina history and the fourth deadliest in the nation. The Cleveland School fire launched efforts to modify fire codes throughout South Carolina and the United States to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

The seminar on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at 6:00 pm will be live streamed on YouTube by the South Carolina State Firefighter’s Association. It can be accessed via their YouTube channel or by clicking the livestream link at clevelandschoolsc.com.

For more information and to RSVP for the events visit www.clevelandschoolsc.com

The Elgin News builds community and brings people together by informing everyone about local businesses, services, schools organizations, government, activities, events and other information useful for becoming involved. It helps those who live and work in Elgin to get to know each other as people and to become friends.

The Elgin News accepts no responsibility for the contents of the advertisements or articles. Advertisements and articles are accepted with the full responsibility of the advertiser for worth and accuracy. Readers who wish to comment or have concerns regarding advertisements contained herein are urged to phone the Elgin News at (803) 513-5108 or (803) 466-4604. The Elgin News will discontinue accepting advertising from firms of alleged dubious reputation.

Rates are net - discount agreements must be reflected on the publication order. Invoices due on receipt. Tearsheets and proofs available upon request. Advertising setup, changes and publication verification are provided at no charge. 15% agency comm. is 30-days firm. Photography charges negotiable. By-line articles are the property of the contributor and may not be reproduced without permission.

The Elgin News, PO Box 152, Elgin, SC 29045 · (803) 513-5108

Cate Goff, Editor · Fred Davidson, Sales Manager · Email: elginnews@gmail.com

From the Chief's Desk

I recently posted on our Support’s page on Facebook about new, donated AEDs. In this Chief’s Desk I want to go into a little more detail about how we received them.

The Elgin Police Department is pleased to announce the donation of three ZOLL AEDs for our Officers on April 26, 2023, by Woodman of the World Life Insurance Society. We received these at no cost to the de partment. These devices are very expensive and desperately needed. able to obtain the AEDs for us.

for service within the town limits prior to EMS. Victims who received a defibrillator shock had a far greater chances at survival, than those who waited for EMS to arrive.

Woodman Life (woodmanlife.org) Is a non-

Trespass: On 04/17/2023 I, Officer Handy along with Cpl. Delong responded to Jeffers Circle in the Town Limits of Elgin in reference to a trespass complaint. Once on the scene we were met by a home healthcare nurse who stated that Subject was inside the home and refused to leave. She stated that the homeowner did invite Subject into the home earlier in the day but asked her to leave and she refused. I made contact with Subject who was sitting on the couch in the living room drinking a beer. I advised her that the homeowner no longer wanted her there, and she agreed to leave. I placed her on trespass noticed from this location at the homeowner's request. Because Subject had been drinking, I gave her a ride to her home on Highway Church Road.

PWID Meth/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Resisting Arrest: Officer was running stationary radar on Smyrna Road in the Town Limits of Elgin when I noticed a motorcycle moving at a high rate of speed, confirmed by radar to be run-

ning 60/35 mph zone and nearly ran into the back of another vehicle. The motorcycle then passed the vehicle at a high and reckless rate of speed in a marked 35 mph zone. I activated my blue lights to make a traffic stop on the motorcycle and it accelerated. I then asked dispatch if a county unit was close to me and notified them that I was pursuing the motorcycle. Chief Anders began heading my way to assist. I pursued the motorcycle down Smyrna Road and onto Springvale Road, hitting speeds of over 90 mph. The driver then made a right turn onto Longtown Road going toward Lugoff, again, hitting speeds of over 90 mph. By this time some KCSO units had caught up to me. I could hear the motorcycle's engine cutting out and appearing to be running out of gas. The driver of the bike then drove it down an embankment and got off and begin to run into the woods. I pursued the driver on foot, he tripped and I was able to detain him at this time. The driver (Subject) had a black bag on his back. After handcuffing Sub-

ject behind his back, double locking the cuffs and checking them for tightness, I placed him in my patrol car. I then searched the black bag incident to arrest and found clear black baggy containing a crystal like substance believed to be Methamphetamine. There was also misc. motorcycle parts and a car radio in the bag. The motorcycle had no tag and no insurance. Eddie Roberts was the next tow truck on rotation, and when they arrived on scene they took possession of the motorcycle. I then transported Subject to KCDC. Once we arrived at KCDC custody of Subject was turned over to the KCDC staff. Subject was charged with failure to stop, DUS 1 st, no tag, operating uninsured, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, reckless driving and PWID Meth. When I returned to the Police Department I weighed the Meth and it weighed approximately 8.9 grams, then placed it into the drug evidence drop box. I also placed the bag containing bike parts in my evidence locker for safe keeping.

Thank you to Regional Director Tim Houlahan, SC Regional Office Coordinator Donna Haltiwanger and Regional Administrator Angela Bracey of Woodman Life, pictured above with Elgin Police Department Officers.

Have Y'all Ever Pitched A Hissy Fit?

By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer

What does ‘Southern’ mean to you? My grandson Hampton, who lives in the true Low Country and attends middle school in Mount Pleasant (a melting pot of students from all over the world), enjoys listening to my slower talk as I tell him stories of growing up in the South. Hampton likes to hear me pronounce certain words that make him laugh like “tweezer or rice or oil.” I think now, as I have lived in Kershaw County for most of my life, I have a combination of a Bishopville- Lugoff-Elgin drawl.

Recently, I read an article about our Southern way of talking according to Lang Learning Platform. South Carolina is the second slowest state in word pronunciation. Carolinians average 4.80 syllables per second. Louisiana ranks the slowest with 4.78 syllables while Midwesterners are our fastest talkers. Most Americans say six syllables to our four.

According to the internet, only a Southerner would know a “hissy fit.” If you are having a hissy fit, you know that you don't “have them,” you “pitch them!”

When I was a teen, my Nanny would tell you that I pitched them regularly when I did not get my way. I came home upset and pitched them over some letdown or disagreement with a friend or teacher. I knew that I could not do that in public. How often did I grind my teeth and bite my lip about the role females played in the late 50’s and early 60’s! We were not brought up “that way.” Besides, I'd had my mouth washed out with soap one time when I muttered under my breath behind my Nanny’s back (my Daddy’s mother).

My Nanny was a schoolteacher who passed on her love of reading the newspaper and appreciating family connections and history to me. She was born in Edgefield in 1891 and lived through WWI and WWII. When she was age 29, she finally received the right to vote. This is a fact that most fe-

males in SC are not aware of - that our state was one of the very last states to allow females to vote.

Nanny made certain that my penmanship was practiced and that I always wrote thank you notes. She liked for me to sit at the dining room table as soon as I came from school and study. First, I had to tell her all about my day. I think she made me a “talker”.

Studying the parts of speech was a requirement of all students of the English language. Imagine asking the question can “fixing” be a noun? Is “fixing “a verb or an adverb? My husband jokes that “fixing to “is one word. One of my husband's favorite Southern words is “yonder” which means over there.

My children and grandchildren all enjoyed listening to my mother tell stories with her accent from Sumter (Sumpter) County. Sometimes I Google her on the internet and visit the National Archives page as she was videotaped for a two hour Living American History Project. I remember watching her as she was interviewed at the South Carolina Cotton Museum. She shared about her childhood growing up in a small community in the rural South during the Great Depression and being an Army nurse in WWII.

Being Southern we are born to tell our stories and share about “our times.” Didn’t our parents and grandparents remind us often about how it was in “their days” sitting on the porch shelling fresh late summer beans shared by neighbors with gardens? They preached the Golden Rule and politeness to others over the nighttime ‘dinner’ or ‘supper’ table. They reminded us of the ways to address our elders with respect and yes and no, ma’am or sir, to say grace before every meal and not speak unto you are addressed. No one meets a stranger in the South.

Georgia country singer Trisha Yearwood said, “There's an encouragement to gather. We have a family reunion every time you turn around… that is where we share stories and recipes.”

I was “raised” by two strong Southern ladies who lived in different time periods and viewed the world according to their upbringing. That is what being Southern means to me. I miss you both. Bless your hearts for blessing mine!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Former LEHS faculty recently gathered for their annual reunion at Everyday Gourmet in Camden. Pictured above: Mary-Luce Naso, Liz Simon, Emilyson, Annette Wertz, Kay Fox, Harriett Thomas, Sandy Fitts, Maryann Pineau, Judy Ford, Daphne Clonts, Marcia Cashion, Jean Boan, Darcella Pindar, Kay Roberson. 3rd row Daisy James, Margaret Nelson, Terri McManus, Chuck Bingham, Creig Tyler, Scott Jones, Ernie Hughes, Glenn Price, Wendy Campbell, Bill DeWitt

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Revolutionary War Veterans Honored

With a variety of events on April 20-22, 14 veterans of the Revolutionary War were honored.

Last fall, at the Revolutionary War battlefield site at Camden, the remains of 14 soldiers were uncovered during an archaeological dig. After extensive excavation and research on the site, the remains are believed to be of 12 Continental Army soldiers, one Loyalist soldier from NC, and one soldier who served with British 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders.

The events began with the soldiers lying in repose at Historic Camden on Thursday and Friday, and culminated with a funeral service at Bethesda Presbyterian on Saturday morning, followed by ceremonies at the Camden Battlefield.

An official burial will be announced at a later date, as plans are in the works for a National Cemetery at the Camden Battlefield site.

Photos courtesy Johnny Deal.

CJWL Vendor Market Stover Middle Chorus

The Camden Junior Welfare League is hosting an antique, vintage and artisan market Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7 on the serene campus of the Camden Shrine Club..

More than twenty vendors will display their vintage items, antiques, origi nal art, and handmade, quality artisan wares over the course of two days, from 10 am to 4 pm each day. All proceeds will benefit the youth of Kershaw County.

“We have assembled an array of quality artisans, alongside collectors of antique and vintage goods, to create a wonderful shopping experience for guests” said Camden Junior Welfare League President Hannah Rushmiller. “We welcome shoppers to explore and enjoy this diverse selection of vendors, with an added wine tasting experience, courtesy of our sponsor Broad & Vine.”

General admission to the Garden Party Market is $5 per person. Guests 21 and over are invited to enjoy the “Wine Party” ticket, which includes a leisurely tasting of six wines, hand picked by Garden Party sponsor Broad & Vine.

The Garden Party Antique & Artisan Market runs May 6th and 7th at the Camden Shrine Club, 1379 Kershaw Highway in Camden. The event is also sponsored by the City of Camden and Stomo Mobile Storage. Visit camdenleague.org for more information.

Junior Leadership Class of 2023

35th year.

Students representing Camden High, Lugoff-Elgin High, North Central High and the Camden Military Academy received plaques in recognition of completing the year-long program, which is a joint venture of the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, the Kershaw County School District and Camden Military Academy with beneficiary support by the Kiwanis Club of Kershaw County and Associated Charities of Kershaw County.

The graduates and their guests heard special remarks on servant leadership by keynote speaker Sallie Harrell, Executive Director of the Health Services District of Kershaw County.

Also addressing those in attendance were students representing each of the participating schools. They included Elizabeth Conder of Camden High School, Luke Germani of Camden Military Academy, Rachael Darmer of Lugoff-Elgin High School and Olivia Norwood of North Central High School.

Griffin Keeffe of Lugoff-Elgin High School received the Robert J. Sheheen Outstanding Junior Leadership Student of the Year award, which honors the former Kershaw County state representative and Speaker of the House. The award recognizes a Junior Leadership student who demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities during the program year.

The 2022-2023 Junior Leadership year began last August and continued throughout the school year. These sessions covered economic development, public speaking, local government, and social issues. The program also featured a ropes challenge and team-building course held at Camp Canaan in

include: Brooklyn Bowen; Elizabeth Conder; Alex Hinton; Stella Miller; Isabella Rider; Sophia Roberts; Giselle Rubio; Lainey Williams; Avery Younghans Camden High School.

Charlie Duke; Luke Germani; Nick Kluemper; Cadence Tarbox; Wendall Wojak of Camden Military Academy.

Collen Ashley; Zoe Bills; Rachael Darmer; Eva Hoagland; Griffin Keeffe; Madison Knoerr; Julia Lemonds; Olivia Nichols; Mary Baxley Shuler; David Whisenhunt of Lugoff-Elgin High School.

Griffin Keeffe of Lugoff-Elgin High School received the Robert J. Sheheen Outstanding Junior Leadership Student of the Year award. This award is given to a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities.

Reese Anderson; Jayda Bracey; Olivia Norwood; Isabella Paul; Olivia Ritchie of North Central High School.

The Class of 2024 was recently selected by their schools and will be announced in August.

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Tate Named Deputy Of The Quarter

KCSO Receives

I would like to congratulate KCSO Corporal Dustin Tate for being awarded KCSO Deputy of the Quarter (Jan-Mar 2023). He received a plaque and gift card from Benji Jackson with the Kershaw County Sheriff 's Foundation. Dustin has 4 years with the KCSO. He is a corporal on the patrol division and an active member of our Special Response Team (SRT). Dustin has done a great job for us and we look forward to his future as a member of your KCSO.

CONGRATS, CORPORAL TATE!!!

KCSO C.O.R.E. Team was presented the SCLEN 2022 Target Zero

KCSO C.O.R.E. Team Lieutenant Brad Gerrald was recognized for his

Upchurch and Jowers All-County Academic Team

Congratulations to the following students for making the All-County Academic Team: (From LEHS): William Luke Campbell, Ethan Elliott Little, Danica Gabrielle Settles, Savannah Lee Butler, Sara Elizabeth McCaskill, Brice Aaron Whitehouse, Zoe Noelle Bills, Joanna Ni, Katherine Elizabeth Moore and Elijah Jonathan Pogue. (From CHS): Lydia Hope Hendrix, Greer Christley Younghans, Sydney Watts, Aaliyah Noelle Haney, Henry Davis Green, Caroline Rebecca Green, Elizabeth Anne Conder, Caroline Elaine Kornegay, Mary Ashton Blanks and Abbygail Christian VanDyck. (From NCHS): Madison Claire Bantum, Madison Nnamaka Egbon, Clara Grace Branham, Daniel Hampton McDonnell, Madison Taylor Hensley, Landon McLane Garbade, Katelyn Michelle Watford, Celia Cristina Nunez, Stephany Denise Jordan, Kinsley Morgan Roberts and Amelia Marlowe Rhyne.

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