Elgin News - 6B 2023

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Letters to the Editor

The Elgin News

P.O. Box 152

Elgin, SC 29045

Library Event Calendar For July

Tuesday, July 4: Closed for Holiday (all locations) | Monday, July 31: Last Day of Summer Reading

Wednesdays

10:30 AM – 11 AM in Camden

Get Set to Read Storytime: Join us for stories, songs and fun. For ages 3-5.

11:15 AM – 12 PM in Camden

Baby Storytime: A fun time of stories, songs and movement for the very young. For ages 0-2.

Thursdays

10:30 AM – 11 AM in Elgin

Get Set to Read Storytime: Join us for stories, songs and fun. For ages 3-5.

11:15 AM – 12 PM in Elgin

Baby Storytime: A fun time of stories, songs and movement for the very young. For ages 0-2.

Special Events

Thursday, July 6 | 5 PM – 6:30 PM | Camden Chess Club: New time! Come on in for a chess club for all! All ages and skill levels are welcome to join us for play. We also offer free lessons to beginners for ages 7 to adult.

Friday, July 7 | 10:30 AM – 12 PM | Camden

The Game Called Go: Have you heard of Go? It originated in China more than 4000 years ago, but it was the Japanese who perfected it. The object of Go is to gain control of territories and capture enemy stones. It's easy to learn but gives all types of players many challenging hours of fun. Learn it and play. 2 people per board, so please register by emailing laurend@kershawcountylibrary.org.

Ages 8 - adult.

Saturday, July 8 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Elgin Satur-YAY Olympics: Join us at the Elgin branch for fun and games! We’re tossing beanbags, holding sack races, hoola hooping, and more! All participants will get a prize and yummy treat! We’re having the event rain or shine, so come have fun with us anytime between 10 AM and 2 PM.

Tuesday, July 11 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Elgin Duplo Fun Time - Elgin! Little hands can make big fun with our larger Duplo Legos. Let their imaginations loose! For ages 18 mos. – 5 years. (rescheduled due to July 4 holiday)

Tuesday, July 11 | 2 PM – 3 PM | Camden Master Gardener: Water Garden: Jackie Jordan, Master Gardener Coordinator for Fairfield, Kershaw and Richland Cooperative Extension Of-

fices, will be here to share water gardening tips & tricks. Come grow with us!

Tuesday, July 11 | 5 PM – 7 PM | Camden Puzzle Pandemonium! Gather a small group (max. 5) of your family or friends to compete in assembling a 200/250 piece puzzle the fastest. Each group will get the same puzzle. Prizes will be awarded. For all ages. Register by email: laurend@kershawcountylibrary.org.

Wednesday, July 12 | 4 PM to 5 PM | Elgin Bricks n’ Blocks: Join us in Elgin to build with Legos, K’nex, building blocks, and more! For kids of all ages.

Thursday, July 13 | 4 – 5:30 PM | Camden Lego Club: We’ve extended the play time for summer! Come on in and let’s have fun with Legos! All ages are welcome for free play inside.

Thursday, July 13 | 6 PM – 7 PM | Camden Small Business Summer: Join Kat Spadacenta, Main Street Manager and a Grow with Google partner, for our Small Business Summer series to learn tips and tricks to make your small business thrive! All seminars are free and open to the public. To save your spot, call the Camden library at 803-425-1508.

Thursday, July 13 | 7:30 – 9 PM | Camden Hi-Steppers Square Dance Party: The Kershaw County Library and the Camden Hi-Steppers Square Dance Club are offering a fun-filled family evening of square dancing on the main floor of the Camden branch, Kershaw County Library. Get friends and family together to learn some moves and start dancing! Free refreshments. All ages.

Friday, July 14 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Camden Little Explorers’ Club: Food, Yummy Food: Join us for songs, books, and activities about food – and a fruity summer snack before leaving! Ages 2-5.

Friday, July 14 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Elgin All Together Now with Nature as Teacher: Join Nature as Teacher's Leoncia Cruz as we team up and play fun outdoor games! Learn to work together and have fun. Bring a friend! Ages 6-12.

Monday, July 17 | 4:30 PM – 6 PM | Elgin Crafting for a Cause: Bring your crafting expertise to the Elgin library and help make a difference! This month, we’re focusing on veterans. Anything created will be donated to the Elgin VFW. Craft tbd at June Craft for a Cause meeting.

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

In this Chief’s Desk, I want to talk about a problem we are having with noise pollution in town. We are getting more and more complainants from businesses and citizens calling in and stopping by, reporting loud vehicles, including motorcycles.

We also can hear vehicles with loud exhaust and loud music from the inside of Elgin Town Hall. Vehicles are revving their engines to redline with loud exhaust, this is uncalled for, especially in Town. And please keep the loud, lewd music turned down!

We do have a Town Ordinance to enforce such violations. We have written and will continue to write these tickets. You can receive up to a

$500 fine. I have attached a link below to our Town Ordinances to help educate the public. We realize it’s summer break, and that you want to enjoy your vehicles and stereos that you have worked hard for, but remember that we also share this community and not everyone wishes to experience these loud, obnoxious levels of noise.

https://www.townofelginsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Elgin-Police-Town-Ordinances.pdf

Elgin Police Incident Reports

Criminal Domestic Violence 2nd: On 5/29/2023 at approximately 1200 hours Officer Handy, responded to Strawberry Field Lane home in reference to a call for service. A third party caller stated to a Kershaw County Dispatcher that she has received a call from a 11 year old child at residence in question stating his father, Subject, was intoxicated and was pushing him around. I immediately requested from dispatch that a KCSO shift supervisor meet me at that location. Once on the scene, I rang the doorbell and Victim (wife), and two minor children answered the door. Victim appeared to visibly upset and she stated that Subject had been drinking for three days. Victim stated the night before, (5/28/2023) Subject had gotten very upset and she became scared. I asked her if he had gotten physical and she paused and looked away then stated he pushed her trying to get by her to get his chewing tobacco. Victim also stated she did not have any visible injuries. I then asked if he had been physical today and she stated no. Victim stated today he was verbally abusive to the kids and her, calling her a whore, cheater, and a horrible wife. Victim did play an audio recording of the altercation from the night before where you can here Subject using abusive language. On the audio you can her Victim tell Subject several times to get away from her and to go into the other room. Victim stated she and the kids where going to leave the house and go to the pool. She said when they separate things tends to go back to normal. KCSO Deputy Davis arrived on scene and he and I went inside the home and made contact with Subject. We found Subject in the master bedroom laying in the bed watching TV. I asked Subject to tell me what was going on and what happened the night before. Subject stated nothing was going on and nothing happened the night before. I asked him if he touched her the night before and he replied, "I have no idea," then he immediately said, "no." Subject's speech was slurred and he did admit to drinking. This incident did happen in the presence of their children. Victim and her three kids, who they have in common, did take a change of clothes from the home they share together. I asked Victim to write a statement and she did not want to write a statement at the time of the call for service. She did take statement forms with her and I also requested to have the audio recording emailed to me. Deputy Royalty and Deputy Patten with KCSO arrived and assisted.

Petit Larceny: On 06/01/2023, the Victim came into EPD to report a larceny of bed sheets from 1232A Rose St. Elgin, SC 29045 (Dirty Laundry). The incident occurred on 05/31/2023 around 1600 hours, the sheets are worth approx. $80.00. The Victim had the video of the incident sent to her from the owners. The video and still photos were posted to our social media page. In the video, you can clearly see the white male in shorts and a red in color tee shirt remove the sheets from the dryer and leave the business, depriving the Victim. 06/01/2023, around 1425 hours, Subject called into EPD and stated that he saw himself on FB and that it is he that is in the video. Subject states it was an accident, he was advised to bring the stolen sheets back to EPD and settle the matter. We also receive two other called from the FB post, both stating it was Subject in the video.

Loitering / Trespass Notice Issued: OFC Picciuolo was notified by Chief Anders that Subject was in the Food Lion parking lot, aggressively panhandling. Anders stated that several Food Lion customers contacted him concerning Subject's behavior. OFC Picciuolo contacted Subject in the parking lot and notified him that he was trespassed from the Food Lion shopping center. Subject was repeatedly told that if he is caught in the area, that he would immediately be arrested. Subject signed a trespass form and left the area.

Assisting Other Agency: On 6/6/2023, an unknown male entered Town Hall and advised there was a women choking at a restaurant on Main St. in the Town Limits of Elgin. CPL Delong and Chief Anders responded on foot to assist. Upon our arrival, the 89-year-old female was breathing but not responding. The female was being cared for by her home health nurse at the time and did not appear to be actively choking. The female appeared to be swallowing as I observed her doing so. KCEMS and Blaney Fire arrived and assumed patient care. The 89-year-old female had very low oxygen levels and extremely low blood pressure. EMS transported the patient to Richland emergency room.

The House That Built Me

By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer

Would you want to go back to the place you grew up if you were offered the opportunity? Maybe your parents still live there, and you visit often.

Over 12 years have passed since my family home was sold to a stranger. I wanted to go back many times and walk around, close my eyes, and hope to experience that “homecoming feeling”.

It would be the last Father's Day I would have the opportunity to walk through the old house my grandfather built at 401 East Church Street in Bishopville in 1915 for my grandmother, his bride. Four years later my grandfather died from the Spanish flu pandemic. My grandmother also died in the house in 1976. Her son, my father, died at age 41 in the same bedroom that he was born in.

I remember my daddy’s last Father’s Day because I gave him a Greatest Dad trophy. It was only about three inches tall, and I was thirteen, but he went on about it like it was the Heisman trophy that another Bishopville legend Doc Blanchard had won back in 1945. I did not know that day that Daddy would die four days later from a massive heart attack. Why can I not remember anything else about that day?

The owner had left the front door unlocked for me as I walked across the front porch where four white rocking chairs once were. The door handle was so familiar as I turned the knob and crossed the threshold. It was overwhelmingly sad to see the colors of the rooms had been painted, but the light fixtures had not been changed.

The chandelier light fixture that my son Bo grabbed when he was a toddler and was tossed into the air by his Uncle Gregg still hung from the high

ceiling. The mantel pieces in all the rooms had stood the test of time, and all the memories I had long forgotten welcomed me back as I entered through the front door.

I walked through the living room and dining room to view my pink bedroom that had the walls now painted some shade of yellow. I thought about how I once hung posters of Ricky Nelson and Joe Namath there. It was the room where when I was much younger, I had played with paper dolls and used my shoes to ride them around in as their cars.

The rotary dial phone with the very long cord sat on the phone stand, and I thought about all the times I had taken the phone and pulled the cord into my bedroom so I could talk for what seemed hours to my friends.

Tears brushed my face as I walked out of the room into the kitchen. I could see the fresh Big Boy tomatoes grown in the neighbor’s garden sitting out on the windowsill to ripen. I thought about making myself a tomato sandwich as I looked out of the kitchen window at the old oak tree.

It was the largest oak tree in town. It withstood the winds of Hurricane Hugo and the storms of life. I used to love to swing in the old wooden swing my daddy made for me. It was there where I daydreamed. My younger brother Gregg and sister Martha rode their bicycles around and around the tree daring me to collide with them.

I could see beyond the oak tree to the grapevine as I walked out the back door. I walked around the garage where the clothesline used to be and stood under the lone walnut tree. The pecan orchard was in the back. I looked at the camellia bushes in the yard and wished that I had planted some at my house. The crepe Myrtle trees, and the Magnolia trees were in full bloom.

There is a country song that came out a few years ago by Miranda Lambert titled “The House that Built Me.” One of the lines from the song is repeated several times, “If I could walk around…. I won't take, but a memory from the house that built me.” I took a lot of memories with me that day. Happy Father’s Day.

KCSD Names New Blaney Principal

During a special called board meeting on June 14, the Kershaw County School Board of Trustees approved Dr. Chastity Evans as the new principal of Blaney Elementary School.

Evans began her career in education as a special education teacher for eight years at the elementary and high school levels. From 2016-2021, she served as an assistant principal and assistant principal of instruction at the elementary and high school levels in Chester and Columbia. She was named the principal of Richard Carroll Elementary School in 2021, where she serves students in Pre-K through sixth grade.

Dr. Evans educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that each student can learn when provided the right tools and through rigor and relevant teaching practices. She strongly believes in the quote Rita Pearson stated a decade ago, “Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

“I’m honored and humbled to have been chosen as the next principal of Blaney Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve this school community,” says Dr. Evans.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Converse College, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina, followed by a Doctor

of Philosophy from the University of South Carolina in Educational Leadership in December 2019.

“Dr. Evans has a strong commitment to teaching and learning. Her unique background, interests and experiences in education make her a great fit for Blaney Elementary School,” says KCSD Superintendent Dr. Harrison Goodwin.

She is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) where she serves on the Executive Committee and the i3 Innovative Ideas Institute Committee. In March 2023 she achieved the Principal’s Silver Level in the Center for Executive Education Leadership (CEEL) program.

Dr. Chastity Evans

Dr. Evans is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, but has lived in Columbia for the last 14 years. She and her husband, John, are the proud parents of four children: Corey (27), Adam (26), Faith (23), and Luke (11).

Choir Camp 2023 Held Week of June 5th

Choir Camp 2023 was held the week of June 5-10th at Father's House Ministries International in Elgin.

There were 72 campers, 38 teen and adult staff, and LOTS of fun and good food! During the week, David Walsh of the Gideons came to talk about their ministry. During Mr. Walsh's presentation, nine children asked Jesus into their hearts!

The very next day, 10 more children gave their lives to Christ during Bible with Kailey Jowers Mitchell. Choir with Brian Heyward and Gospel Choir with Dionne Hough were also highlights of the camp.

Children enjoyed Art with Robin Willoughby and Debbie Miles, "Senior Moments" with Marsha Stone, Recreation with Thai Wood, Bible with Amy Lynch, and Crafts with Kelsey Jowers and Kaitlin Stone.

Pastor Lorenzo White spoke during the midday assembly. Many thanks to FHMI for hosting this event and to the many sponsors: Brown's Oil and Lube, Elgin Pharmacy, Carroll Brown Music, Elgin Quick Lube, The Highway Church Family, Wilton Hellams, Ph.D, Reflections Salon, Chavela's, Southern Mama's, Goff Feed and Tack, Palmetto Mattress Co., Outpost Food Mart, Krista Best-Palmetto Elite Realty, LLC, and The Piano Barn.

FFA Student Headed To National Event

Presley Millet of the WTC Kershaw County FFA Chapter traveled to Greenville on June 6th to compete in the Extempo raneous Public Speaking Leadership De velopment Event (LDE). Winning first in this event, Presley will now advance to the national level and compete and represent SC at the National FFA Convention next November.

Students participating in the Extempora neous Public Speaking Leadership Devel opment Event showcase their agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet by giving a speech and answering questions with limited prep time.

During this event, participants draw from 18 agricultural topics then select three of interest. From those three, a student selects the topic of their speech and has 30 minutes to prepare using five re sources. Participants then present a four to six-minute speech on their topic to a panel of judges. After their speech, students answer five minutes worth of questions on the topic they just presented.

The event challenges students to practice their presentation skills, articula tion, and logical thinking and advocate for agriculture and agricultural edu cation.

Millett is a Junior at Lugoff Elgin High School. Audrey Cathcart is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for the WTC Kershaw County FFA Chapter.

Presley Millet

LEHS Hosts Collegiate Cheer Combine

On June 9, 2023, Lugoff-Elgin High School Cheer Program hosted it's first ever SC Collegiate Cheer Combine. It was composed of over 350 athletes and 30 colleges/university cheer coaches coming for recruitment for their programs. Programs from as far as Kentucky were represented and over 50 high schools in the state had athletes represented. It was hosted in partnership with Rebel Athletic, a major cheer wear brand, that allowed each participant to receive practice wear specifically designed for

Lugoff-Elgin High School Cheer is proud of the enormous success of the event. The date for next year is already set for June 21-22, 2024. You can follow us on facebook at "SC Collegiate Cheer Combine" or on instagram at "sccollegiatecheercombine" for more information.

We pride ourselves on employing the best drivers and providing top-quality materials to our customers. From improving your yard or driveway, building a house, a new pool - whatever your needs are... we can deliver sand and rock materials to get the job done.

door and brought in almost 2800 items for Fostering Foster Animal Rescue! Congratulations to the 2023 Miss Carolina Grace Court:

Wee Miss: Sophia Hall; Little Miss: Lily Grace Terrell; Preteen Miss: Charlie Davis; Junior Miss: Alyssa Johnson; Teen Miss: Payton Marino; Jr. Grand Supreme: Maelee McCutchen; Grand Supreme: Jordan Rabon.

What is a Riparian Buff er?

Most people love the serene view and sound of moving water, whether a small stream or large river. Some even prefer a perfectly clear view of a stream, void of vegetation. But, did you know that the vegetation bordering our streams and rivers is essential to maintaining water quality? Sometimes called water quality buffers or riparian buffers, the thick area of native vegetation along streams plays an integral role in pollution prevention, flood control, and wildlife habitat.

Preventing Pollution

Riparian buffers intercept stormwater runoff pollution before it can reach our freshwaters. Stormwater runoff carrying excess fertilizer from lawns, pet waste left behind, and sediment from land-disturbing activities can be physically stopped by a riparian buffer. As a bonus, the plants making up the riparian buffer can absorb the extra nutrients in stormwater runoff and use it for growth. If these nutrients were allowed to flow into our waterways, they could cause algal issues and even reduce dissolved oxygen in the water, which is important for fish and aquatic organism health. Sediment is also another pollutant found in stormwater runoff that can impact our water quality. What’s so bad about sediment in streams? Pollutants such as chemicals, fertilizer and bacteria often bind to sediment, which often erode into surface water. Also, sediment can harm fish and aquatic bugs when it clogs gills and other areas used to breathe. It can even fill in aquatic habitat needed by fish to reproduce!

Preventing Flooding

Riparian buffers can slow water as it moves over land and into our streams. Without them, runoff can create flooding conditions as stormwater

rushes into streams and rivers and flows downstream. Buffers allow stormwater to infiltrate back into the ground and slowly enter our waterways.

Keeping it Cool

Riparian buffers provide shade to our streams, lowering water temperature. This is important since many of our native species living in streams and rivers can only live within a certain temperature range! Another way buffers help keep water temperatures lower is by intercepting runoff before it enters the stream. Stormwater runoff from impervious areas like parking lots and driveways can actually increase the temperature in a stream! By planting buffers, you can help keep it cool in our waterways.

Wildlife Habitat

Riparian buffers can provide habitat for amphibians like green frogs and cricket frogs and insects like dragonflies (which eat mosquitoes!) and damselflies. In fact, some insects that live the first part of their life in water need riparian zones to emerge as adults. Birds also enjoy buffers while hunting for insects that have recently emerged from the water!

Preventing Property Loss

Over time, large and frequent rain events can slowly start to erode stream banks. This means a loss of property for a homeowner, or it could even begin to endanger structures like homes, garages, and sheds! Riparian buffers prevent property loss by stabilizing stream banks with their belowground root systems.

These are just a few of the benefits that come with protecting and planting riparian buffers! The next time you or some you know considers mowing down streamside vegetation, remember they are an important part of our waterways.

Post 195 Hosts Flag Retirement

June 14, 1775 is the birthday of the U.S. Army, and this date is also known as Flag Day in the United States. On Flag Day, it is traditional for veterans' groups across the country to perform retirement ceremonies for U.S. flags that are no longer considered serviceable.

These flags are torn, frayed, or faded, and under the U.S. Flag Code they are to be honorably and appropriately destroyed, generally by fire.

Along with other veterans' organization across Kershaw County, South Carolina, and the United States, American Legion Larry Jeffers Post 195 retired ninety-six U.S. flags on the evening of June 14th, beginning at 7:00.

Post 195 received a majority of the flags at its newly-installed drop box at the front of the post. The box is a repurposed U.S. Mail box mounted in front of their building at 534 Wildwood Lane in Lugoff. Dodging scattered storms and wind across the Midlands, the flags were retired in the post's fire pit constructed this month specifically for this ceremony. In addition, six South Carolina state flags were retired. The ceremony was led by the post commander, Claude Turner, and was assisted by other Post 195 officers. The ceremony was observed by a number of others, some who brought flags to be retired.

As far as is known, this was Post 195's first flag retirement. Plans are to make this an annual event.

Library Events Continued

Thursday, July 20 | 5 – 6:30 PM | Camden Chess Club: New time! Come on in for a chess club for all! All ages and skill levels are welcome to join us for play. We also offer free lessons to beginners for ages 7 to adult.

Thursday, July 20 | 6 – 7 PM | Camden Small Business Summer: Join Kat Spadacenta, Main Street Manager and a Grow with Google partner, for our Small Business Summer series to learn tips and tricks to make your small business thrive! All seminars are free and open to the public. To save your spot, call the Camden library at 803-425-1508.

Friday, July 21

2 PM - 3 PM | Elgin + 5 PM - 6 PM | Camden

Big Bang Boom! You’ll have a blast with our special guest band from Greensboro, NC! People of every type music taste will love them as they blend multiple genres of music to create fun tunes for both adults and children to enjoy. Come have fun with us and Big Bang Boom!

Saturday, July 22 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Elgin Strategy Saturday: Join us for board games at the Elgin library! We have board games for all ages, classics and indie games alike! From Jenga to Carcassonne, Connect-4 and Sorry, to Ticket to Ride… we’ve got what you’ll love. Play together, in a quiet area, or on our enclosed porch. All ages welcome.

Monday, July 24 | 5 PM – 6 PM | Elgin Elgin Book Club: Join us in Elgin for our branch book club! We’ll be reading The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka. Pick up your copy at the Elgin front desk!

Tuesday, July 25 | 6 PM – 7 PM | Camden Small Business Summer: Join Kat Spadacenta, Main Street Manager and a Grow with Google partner, for our Small Business Summer series to learn tips and tricks to make your small business thrive! All seminars are free and open to the public. To save your spot, call the Camden library at 803-425-1508.

Thursday, July 27 | 4 – 5:30 PM | Camden Lego Club: We’ve extended the play time for summer! Come on in and let’s have fun with Legos! All ages are welcome for free play inside.

Thursday, July 27 | 6 – 7 PM | Camden Camden Book Club: We will be discussing Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. New members are always welcome. You can pick up a copy of the book at the Camden branch.

Seventh Annual Kids' Parade Set for July 1st

Kids throughout Kershaw County are invited to show off their patriotic spirit by decorating bicycles, scooters, and wagons and wearing their red, white, and blue for the seventh annual Kids’ Fourth of July Parade on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in Downtown Camden. Festivities begin at Camden City Hall at 10 am; the parade will start at 10:30 am. This is a free event.

Pre-parade activities will include community organizations such as the Camden Police and Fire Departments, the Hobkirk Hill Chapter of the DAR, the Kershaw County Library, the Revolutionary War Visitor Center, Move with the Mayor, Cub Scout Pack 303, and the SC Battleground Preservation Trust Artillery Demonstration Team.

This year’s Grand Marshals are Mayor Alfred Mae Drakeford and her Move with the Mayor initiative, educating residents about the benefits of physical activity for the prevention of conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. At 10:30 am, cannon fire will signal the beginning of the parade down Rutledge Street to Broad Street, where participants will continue on the sidewalk to Arthur Lane and back around to the Haigler Lane parking lot, behind Books on Broad. Free snow cones will be available to all participants following the parade.

For the safety of the participants, motorized vehicles (electric or gas powered) aren't allowed, and children 10 and under must be with an adult. Decorate your bicycle, human-powered scooter or skateboard, AND your helmet!

The community is invited to watch the 10:30 am parade along Rutledge Street. Spectators are encouraged to join in the fun by decorating your golf

cart for a chance to be named Most Patriotic Golf Cart! Park on Rutledge Street by 10 am to watch and cheer on the parade. Golf carts must be street legal and driven by a licensed driver. Motorized vehicles are not al lowed in the parade.

Additional parking is avail able at the Town Green and on Commerce Alley, as well as along Market and Broad.

Upload your best photo to the event page at https://bit. ly/3Cu4sQ7 along with the hashtag #kidsparadephotocontest2023. Photos should be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on July 1st. A winner will be selected at random and announced on July 4th!

The parade is sponsored by Books on Broad and Coffee and the Downtown Camden Cultural District. For more info, contact Kat Spadacenta, at kspadacenta@camdensc.org or Laurie Slade Funderburk at laurie@booksonbroad.com.

KCSD Announces New Hires for 2023-2024 School Year

The Kershaw County School District Board of Trustees recently approved the hire of four leadership positions, including Denise Sowell as the Chief Human Resources Officer, Elizabeth (Betsy) Burr as the Instructional Technology Coordinator, Dr. Ashley Philp as the Special Services Coordinator, and Paul Riggs as an Assistant Principal of Lugoff-Elgin High School.

Denise Sowell joins KCSD as the Chief Human Resources Officer. She has worked as the Human Resource Director at Fairfield County School District since 2013. Before her role in Fairfield, she worked in Chesterfield County School District as the Human Resource Director, District Testing Coordinator, High School Assistant Principal and as a business education teacher. Sowell served in the South Carolina Army National Guard as a Personnel Specialist from 2003-2006. She has also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Midlands Technical College.

Sowell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Distributive Education from Winthrop University and a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. She has served on the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) board since 2021 and was the Personnel Affiliate President from 2020-2021. She has also served on the South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) Executive Board since 2017 and on the Columbia College APEC Advisory Board since 2018.

Technology Integration and Implementation Specialist (TIIS) Elizabeth (Betsy) Burr was promoted to the position of Instructional Technology Coordinator. Burr joined KCSD in 2006 and served as a teacher and technology integration specialist at Lugoff Elementary and Jackson School. In 2019, she was named a TIIS, where she has designed and facilitated district-wide professional development, led district-wide technology integration initiatives, and served as a liaison between school-level technology integration specialists and the district office.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University, a Master of Education in Educational Technology from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Education in Educational Literacy from Grand Canyon University. She is currently enrolled in an Educational Doctoral program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

As a leader in educational technology, she has presented at the South Carolina Educational Technology Conference several times, and is a member

of South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Instructional Technology Roundtable.

Dr. Ashley Philp joins Kershaw County School District as the Special Services Coordinator with 14 years of experience as a district administrator, most recently serving in Richland School District Two as a Psychologist Coordinator and a Disability Specialist. She began her career nineteen years ago as a school psychologist, specializing in working with children with emotional disabilities and behavioral disorders. Dr. Philp has worked as an adjunct university professor and an educational consultant, has contributed to professional research and publications, and has extensive experience with special education compliance, program development, and training and coaching educators in trauma-informed behavioral and crisis interventions. She currently serves on the Professional Advisory Council for the Developmental Therapy Institute and is a past president of the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists.

Dr. Philp holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in School Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina. She has completed numerous leadership development programs, including Leadership Columbia, the NASP Public Policy Institute, and the SCASA Center for Executive Educational Leadership District Level Leaders Programs. Dr. Philp has been recognized as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

Paul Riggs joins KCSD as an assistant principal at Lugoff-Elgin High from Sumter School District where he has served as an assistant principal for the last 16 years serving at Sumter High School, Lakewood High School, and Bates Middle School. He started his career in education in Mississippi after finishing his Bachelor of Science in Education at Delta State University. After teaching high school science for several years, he earned his Master of Education in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. Riggs has continued his education at Gardner-Webb University and plans to graduate with his Doctor of Education in Education Leadership in July of this year.

Riggs is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). He was named the Educator of the Year by the Rotary Club of Sumter Sunrise and as Citizen of the Year by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Photo from 2022 Parade, courtesy Johnny Deal.

Citizens Recognized for Aiding KCSO Deputy

On May 17, 2023, KCSO Deputy Grant McElveen responded to a suspicious person call in the Pine Grove community of Lugoff. He saw the person described by dispatch walking in the road. Dep. McElveen approached him and could tell he was under the influence of some type of drug. McElveen saw him conceal something in his pants pocket and also noticed a fixed blade knife on the person. The person became very defensive and evasive with McElveen. He then began running from the deputy. As McElveen followed and started struggling with him, they both went to the ground. McElveen felt a sudden snap in the lower part of his leg and his leg began going numb. The struggle continued while two motorists saw what was happening and chose to get involved.

Jimmy Sanders and Steve Melton saw what was going on from their vehicles as they were passing by. They both stopped and began physically assisting our deputy with the arrest without any hesitation or concern for their own safety. The suspect was arrested and McElveen was taken to the hospital where x-rays confirmed his leg was broken above the ankle.

Sanders and Melton both showed they support law enforcement. This is not uncommon for the great citizens of Kershaw County who commonly BACK THE BLUE. At times when recruiting and retention have been challenging to law enforcement agencies, your KCSO has been very blessed.

Pictured above (left to right): Deputy Grant McElveen, Steve Melton, Jimmy Sanders, Sheriff Lee Boan

I credit that to the support of the great citizens of Kershaw County. Our great citizens are the reason we put our badges on every day.

Thank you again to Jimmy Sanders & Steve Melton. You made a difference in our community.

Captain Chris Boykin (aka: Bird) is having his retirement ceremony at your KCSO today (6/23/23). He has served the vast part of his law enforcement career as a KCSO deputy under three different sheriffs. He started his current position as KCSO Patrol Captain in October 2021. Captain Boykin is being promoted to the rank of Major at his retirement ceremony. He served Kershaw County very well and it is our hope that his forward momentum will continue. We hope he enjoys his well deserved retirement. Boykin's replacement has already started. Lieutenant William West was promoted to Patrol Captain. We look forward to all the great things he will do to continue moving our patrol division forward.

Pictured above: (left center) Captain Chris Boykin is off to celebrate retirement, while William West (right with Sheriff Lee Boan) was recently promoted to Patrol Captain.

I would like to thank Jimmy Sanders and Steve Melton for their outstanding courage in physically assisting a wounded deputy while struggling to arrest a suspect on May 17, 2023.