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From The Mayor's Desk 2021 Citizen of the Year By: Mayor Melissa Brazell Emmons
Note: From The Mayor’s Desk is submitted by Mayor Melissa Emmons and is not the official minutes of the Elgin Town Council.
Letter Submissions It is the policy of The Elgin News to encourage reader participation on its editorial page. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. Because of space limitations, we must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Letters of 200 words or less will be published unless they contain language or content that the editors feel is inappropriate. Examples of content that will cause letters to be rejected include the following: • Disrespectful comments regarding a group's or individual's ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, culture, or race. • Poor taste. • Endorsements for or complaints about individually named commercial products or services. • Personal attacks. The Elgin News will not knowingly publish factually incorrect information. Only letters written exclusively to the newspaper will be published. Letters to a third party or those written to more than one newspaper are not accepted. Letters written in response to other letter writers should address the issue at hand and, rather than mentioning the writer by name, should refer to the headline and date the letter was published. Discourse should be civil and people should be referred to in a respectful manner. Letters referring to news stories should also mention the headline and date of publication. All letters must be signed and include the writer's street address or route address telephone number, which will be used for verification purposes only. We welcome your input. You may write to us by e-mail at elginnews@gmail.com or by regular mail at:
Letters to the Editor The Elgin News P.O. Box 152 Elgin, SC 29045
Cate Goff, Editor (803) 513-5108
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Fred Davidson, Sales Manager (803) 466-4604
At the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Elgin, Sisters Annette Hammond and Ann Pringle of Blanketing Families, Inc., were announced as our Citizen of the Year! Annette and Ann founded Blanketing Families, Inc., spreading warmth and kindness throughout the communities of Kershaw County. Their compassion and doing everything for the Glory of God, has made this organization one that not only warms bodies, but warms the hearts of all they come in contact. Their program comes to Elgin Town Hall every other Wednesday. It is through their meals, warm blanket donations, development of the Elgin Community Garden, and other gestures of love, that they are the perfect representation of the individuals we love to honor with our Citizen of the Year annual award. We are so grateful for these ladies and the joy they bring to the community.
This year's Citizen of the Year, Blanketing Families, Inc. - better known as sisters Annette Hammond and Ann Pringle - lead the 2021 Catfish Stomp Parade. Photo courtesy Donna Bonfrancesco.
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 December 15, 2021
December 15, 2021
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Christmas Season Memories, Part II By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
“Please ride us through the town and let us see the Christmas lights shinning on the Town Clock.” That was always the request the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when my husband Billy and our children Bo, Belle, and Rhetta were all in the car together. Precious long-ago memories! I remember shivering in the cold of the Christmas parades in December waiting for my children to ride by on the floats. I also remember riding around looking at homes decorated for Christmas, hoping they would fall asleep early that night. Joe Pinner and WISTV always kept the viewers alert for the radar showing Santa and his sleigh making his nightly preparations. Many questions often came from my children’s school friends. “Are your gifts from Santa wrapped or unwrapped?” The answer varied for student to student, and I daresay the tradition was passed down through the generations as family and friends always blend customs and rituals. Our gifts from Santa are always unwrapped. I have a crazy habit my husband says, and that habit is going out on Christmas Eve to be in the hustle and bustle in the early afternoon rush of lastminute shoppers who are looking to find and buy a bargain …a Christmas item for me! Of course, I have a few of my Christmas sweaters and socks I wore when teaching. I enjoy looking every year at new fashions and all the latest decorations. I still remember the catalogs of days gone by of the Sears “Wish Book” and the JCPenney catalog. My children studied and marked their wish list in the catalogs and wrote their letters to Santa. Did we ever dream of online shopping or Cyber Monday? There was an excitement among my children when we went to the post office and saw that the mailbox was stacked with cards and invitations from old
friends to drop ins, and relatives gathering at the old home place. I remember formal dinners, family dinners, progressive dinners, and then the White Elephant exchange parties where you hope to take home a gift you wanted. Every year, I try to support the Junior League of Camden and attend their Tour of Homes as well as the Elgin Lights. It's a Christmas treat I look forward to each year. A new tradition I hope will be continued is the Tinsel Trail at the Veterans’ Park by the Wateree River. We also attended the Live Nativity at Pine Grove Baptist Church and came away with an awe of the displays and appreciation of the church’s dedication. Do you have a meal on Christmas morning or Christmas afternoon or night? Do you have finger foods or a favorite menu? What's your tradition? Some people set the table with their Christmas China and silver, but my favorite is paper plates and plastic ware. I don’t like to wash dishes. I admire the look of a Southern Living or Martha Stewart centerpiece and holiday handmade crafts. I have always admired those who can create something so beautiful with their imagination and their own hands. My friends who are retired LEHS teachers Margaret DeGroat and Annette Wertz are some of the most talented artisans that I know. Margaret with her exquisite stained-glass pieces and Annette with her stunning paintings and Oyster shell nativities have helped me decorate my home and my children’s. Do you enjoy reading and collecting favorite Christmas books? I always treat myself to a trip to the bookstore to purchase my reading materials for the New Year. Two books I recommend for readers are former LEHS student Jeff Pearson’s Forever Across the Marsh and former LEHS coach Scott Jones’s A Storm in the Carolinas. The books can be found on Amazon.com. Are your stockings hung with care on the mantel? Are they hung on the stair steps or at the foot of their beds? Have you started counting down on the Advent calendar? So many family traditions to remember! I always told my children and now my grandchildren, “If you do not believe, you do not receive. When you quit believing, you quit receiving!” Guess what!? They still believe! Now they know the true message of Christmas is not found under a tree. It is found in our hearts!
CHS Bulldogs at State Championship
Congratulations to the Camden High Bulldogs on an amazing season, and a second place finish in the state! Though the Bulldogs didn't come home with a title, they came home to a proud Kershaw County community! Photos courtesy Johnny Deal, BowTie Photography.
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December 15, 2021
From the Chief 's Desk
In this Chief ’s Desk I would like to give thanks. By now I am sure everyone has heard or read about Elgin Police Department’s recent passing of K9 Nala. Nala was laid to rest last Friday the 10th after being diagnosed with cancer. While we are still filled with sadness, we would like to thank everyone that helped and supported us through the process. From our Town’s Government Officials, to the citizens, to Kershaw County Sheriff ’s Office, Wateree Animal Hospital and to Powers Funeral Home’s Peaceful Chief Alan Anders Paws, thank you all for your kindness and services. K9 Nala’s position will be fill with another K9, our community needs the help of a trained K9 to continue our fight against illegal drug activity. Though her position will be filled, Nala can never be replaced, she will live on in our hearts.
Elgin Police Department Incident Reports
Disturbance: Ofc. De Long and Sgt. Sinclair were dispatched to Stover Middle School in the Town Limits of Elgin in reference to an irate parent. Upon our arrival, we met with Subject who stated she received a message from the school at 1:14pm stating her child was marked absent from 2nd period, at around 10am. Subject stated she called the school several times and could not get an answer of where her child was. Subject stated at that point she was very upset and worried about her child and left work and went to the school. When Subject arrived at the school she demanded to talk to an administrator and was told one would not be available until about 3:30. Subject did admit to getting loud with staff and that was when Law Enforcement was called.
All parties agreed that since it was time for dismissal, that Subject could take her child home and figure it out over the weekend. Child stated she was in the class she was marked absent from. Missing Persons: On December 9, 2021 Complainant came to the Elgin Police Department to report her son, Jason Edward Dinkins as a missing person. Complainant stated she dropped Jason off at the BP in the Town of Elgin in August of 2021 and has not heard from him since. Complainant also stated Jason has a First Citizens Bank account he has not withdrawn monies from since August. She further advised it is common practice for Jason to withdraw the two hundred dollars ($200) the day it is deposited into his account from a trust. Neither family nor Jason's limited
friends known to Complainant have heard from Jason. In his last conversation with Complainant, Jason told her he would head to Colorado to 'find himself '. Complainant told me Jason has a history of abusing the drugs Marijuana and Methamphetamine. Residential Alarm: Ofc. De Long, was dispatched to Abbey Rd in the Town Limits of Elgin in reference to an alarm. Upon my arrival I made contact with homeowner who stated she entered the home and forgot about the alarm and went back out to her vehicle. Homeowner stated she is forgetting a lot lately and she don't understand why her alarm company is not contacting her with the option to cancel police response.
Metal Arts at Doby's Mill Elementary
Artist Bob Doster visits Doby's Mill Elementary School: Fourth grade students worked on a collaborative project. Each student created an action silhouette in art with Mrs. Faulk. Recently, students traced their silhouette drawings onto steel. Mr. Doster guided each student in the process of cutting their image in steel using real
December 15, 2021
welders materials! Students were nervous at first, but quickly filled with pride and joy at their accomplishment. In the next few months the artist will add each of the nearly 100 silhouettes on a cylinder frame to be installed outside our office doors. We are very proud of our 4th grade students and look forward to this addition to our school.
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Elgin Catfish Stomp 2021
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Ft. Clark Baptist Elgin Lights Celebrates 25 Years Seeks New Pastor
Fort Clark Baptist Church located in Elgin SC, is searching for a New Sr. Pastor. After 12 dedicated years of service, Pastor John L. Roberts is resigning and relocating out of state. Fort Clark is looking for a local candidate that will continue to elevate the church and strive to take it to the next level. This candidate must be a member of a Baptist Church, licensed to preach and ordained a Baptist Minister. This candidate must also possess the spiritual qualifications as described in 1 Timothy 3:1 – 7. Resumes will be accepted until December 31st, 2021 and can be emailed to the church at fcbcsearch@att.net. For further info, please call 803-438-5071.
Pictured above, center front, Paul Towns, creator of Elgin Lights with his family.
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The Towns family has been making the Christmas season a little brighter for our community for 25 years. Additionally, thanks to the generosity of the Towns family, and community support, Elgin Lights has donated thousands of dollars to send kids to Camp Kemo. Paul Towns, who has been fighting Lymphoma since 2004 created Elgin Lights to both bring joy to our community and support Camp Kemo. This year will likely be the final year of the large lights display, though the Towns family plans to continue to open the buildings to the public each holiday season. This year, Elgin Lights will be open on December 15th - 25th from 6 pm - 9 pm. The lights will again be a drive thru to encourage social distancing, and the buildings will be open, but masks are mandatory. This event is free to the public, and 100% of donations received will go towards sending kids to Camp Kemo.
Kershaw County Tinsel Trail
The Kershaw County Tinsel Trail is now open! Visit the trail nightly from 5:30 pm - 8 pm to view the beautifully decorated trees sponsored by Kershaw County businesses and community organizations. The trail is located at the Wateree River Veterans Park, and is sponsored by Kershaw County Parks and Recreation. For more information on the trail, and special events scheduled visit kershawrec.com or find the Rec Department on Facebook @KershawCountyRecreation
4927 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223
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ElginNews@gmail.com • 803.513.5108 8
December 15, 2021
KC Schools Honor Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to Peter Hemmingway, LEHS's Teacher of the Year. Mr. Hemmingway's Above: Congratulations to Dr. Linda Lee Branham, outfit is evidence of his school spirit as this photo Stover's Teacher of the Year! was taken on Christmas Movie Character Day @ Right: Congratulations to Mr. Charles as Lugoff-Elgin LEHS. Middle School’s Teacher of the Year!
Bagwell Named WES Principal
The Kershaw County School Board named Shane Bagwell as the new principal of Wateree Elementary School to replace Charles King who is retiring. A Lugoff resident, Bagwell served as a first grade teacher at Camden Elementary School for eight years. "We conducted a detailed process and had many good applicants for this position," said Kershaw County School District Superintendent Shane Robbins. "We're pleased to welcome Mr. Bagwell back home. I think students, staff, families and the community will all enjoy his high energy and excitement for learning." Bagwell has spent the past seven years as an assistant principal in Richland School District Two, serving in that role at Lake Carolina Lower Elementary School before moving to Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School for the 2020-2021 school year. Bagwell also taught in Lexington Two. "I have called Kershaw County home for the past 17 years, and I am excited to come back and serve Wateree Elementary School and Kershaw County School District," Bagwell Shane Bagwell named Wateree Elemensaid. "I am so humbled and blessed to become a part of the tary School Principal. Cardinal family. This is an amazing school with a wonderful community, and I cannot wait to get to work building relationships and contributing to the continued academic success at Wateree Elementary School." An Ohio Native, Bagwell received a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toledo and Master of Education degrees from Columbia College and Purdue University.
December 15, 2021
Library Digital Collection Expands Offerings
Kershaw County Library is expanding their collections on the hoopla digital service. The new hoopla Flex collection will allow members of the library to borrow additional books a month. Hoopla is a digital service that Kershaw County Library offers its members that allows users to read, watch, and listen to more than 950,000 eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies & television titles. In addition to the eight instant borrows that KCL offers each month, hoopla Flex will allow 5 extra borrows that do not count against the instant borrow limit. Users can find thousands of new and popular audiobooks that can be borrowed now or can be held for borrow when available. If a user runs out of hoopla Flex borrows, simply return an item to have a slot available for another borrow. Sign up for hoopla with a Kershaw County Library card at hoopladigital.com and download the hoopla app from the app store. Visit the digital downloads page on the library website.
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Wreaths Across America Day Set for Dec. 18
CLC purchased 20 wreaths (our goal) for National Wreaths Across America Day, which will be Saturday, December 18, 2021. "Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad." We will place the wreaths at Quaker Cemetery in Camden. A special ceremony will take place at 12:00 p.m., and then volunteers will place wreaths on veteran graves. We hope you will join us. Thank you to everyone who purchased wreaths. A special thanks to Tom Mullikin Law Firm for their generous donation.
CLC To Develop NFL Flag Football Program
DO YOU NEED HELP
CLC has been selected by Fuel Up to Play 60 to develop and implement NFL Flag football in their PE classes. NFL Flag Football equipment and curriculum materials have been awarded. Special Projects Coordinator Kim Stokes applied for the grant last spring. "FLAG Football can be a great way to get students — both boys and girls — involved in a fun physical activity that will really keep them moving! When done in a safe, “fun-first” and child-oriented way, organized sports have been linked to many positive effects on students. These can include improved concentration, improved weight control, minimized risk of some chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, less participation in some risky behaviors (particularly smoking and taking drugs), improved self-worth and decreased risk of depression (in girls)1. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) reports a growing interest in FLAG football among high school students, especially girls, with a 25% increase from 2014 – 2015 to 2015 – 2016."
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December 15, 2021
Kershaw County Sheriff ’s Office Lt. Craig Hudson Named 2021 Kershaw County Deputy of the Year
Please help us congratulate Lt. Craig Hudson on being awarded your 2021 KCSO Deputy of the Year. We want to thank our Kershaw County Sheriff’s Foundation and all their donors for making this award possible each year.
Sheriff Lee Boan
Pictured above, (left to right): SC Rep Vic Dabney, Melissa Elliott, Kris Elliott, Lt Craig Hudson, Steve Zobel, Benji Jackson, Ellery Thorpe, and Sheriff Lee Boan. Congratulations, and thank you for your service!
Lugoff Elementary Celebrates Gingerbread Night
Recently, Lugoff Elementary First Graders hosted a family Gingerbread night. A great time was had by all, and believe it or not, a few Gingerbread houses were even completed (and not accidentally eaten by tiny artists.)
December 15, 2021
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