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Elgin Native Has Attended Every Single Catfish Stomp Since 1975
By: Hank Goff, The Elgin News
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
As the Town of Elgin celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Catfish Stomp, one resident stands out as a living piece of the festival’s history. Ms. Carolyn Moak Branham has attended every single Catfish Stomp since the event first began in 1975, making her a cherished eyewitness to five decades of small-town tradition. For Ms. Branham, the Catfish Stomp is more than a parade and a bowl of stew. It is a thread woven through her family’s life. One of her fondest memories comes from the year her granddaughter was crowned the Catfish Stomp Queen at age sixteen. “That was a big day for me,” she recalled with a smile. “I was so proud of her.” Her memories of the early years paint a vivid picture of the festival’s humble beginnings. Much of the event was once held at the old Blaney Elementary School, now the site of Food Lion, where the stew, rides, and food stands drew families from across the community. She remembers the festival moving around town as Elgin grew, the rides that delighted children, and activities no longer seen today, such as mechanical bull rides and square dancing in the gymnasium at the old Blaney School. Over the years, she has watched the food vendors and activities evolve, but her love for the event has never faded. She especially treasures the tradition she shares with her great-grandson. When he was small, she brought him to the parade with homemade sausage biscuits and hot chocolate. Now grown at 31, he continues the tradition by bringing her. Rain or shine, she has never missed a Stomp. Even the year the parade was canceled due to weather, she still arrived early, hoping it would go on. “I come in the rain or shine, snow or sleet,” she said. “I’m there.” For Ms. Branham, the Catfish Stomp is about the togetherness that defines Elgin. She loves seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and watching the joy it brings to children and families year after year. “People are always so friendly,” she said. “It’s something great that this little town does.” As Elgin marks fifty years of its signature celebration, Ms. Branham’s presence at every single one is a reminder of what the Catfish Stomp has always been: not just an event, but a tradition anchored in community, family, and pride.
94-year-old Carolyn Moak Branham has attended every Catfish Stomp, and this year, she enjoyed the parade first hand as an honored participant.
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. 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 · Email: elginnews@gmail.com 2
December 17, 2025
Elgin Police Department Incident Reports Road Rage Incident: On 12/4/2025, while on duty as a SRO at Stover Middle School, SRO was conducting traffic control operations on Smyrna Rd. at the entrance to Stover Middle School. At 0717, SRO heard the sound of a vehicle accelerating. SRO looked up and saw a mid-sized white SUV going around traffic, accelerating quickly. SRO also saw a grey sedan with the passenger side door open and a white male standing in the trafficway, screaming that "he wanted that woman arrested". SRO ceased traffic control duties and drove his patrol vehicle to make contact with the driver and passenger of the sedan, which had pulled out of the Smyrna Rd trafficway and pulled onto Abbey Rd. The Passenger and Driver were identified. Both subjects stated they were coming out of Elgin Estates and were trying to make a left hand turn onto Smyrna Rd, when they were "almost rammed" by a white female in a white SUV. Passenger stated that he felt threatened so he dismounted the vehicle in the middle of Smyrna Rd to confront the white female driver of the SUV. SRO advised Passenger this was absolutely not smart at all, and that the lady in the white SUV could have potentially been justified in running him over with her vehicle. Passenger and Driver were both advised to use a bit more patience when navigating through school drop off traffic. SRO contacted the bus driver of a bus that was in the vicinity before the incident to try to obtain video footage of the incident, but the bus cameras did not capture the events. SRO was not wearing a body camera during this contact, as he does not wear his body camera during traffic control operations. Shoplifting: Officer was on scene at the location, 2465 Main Street (Food Lion), which is within the Town limits of Elgin, for a separate call for service when the Manager approached Officer and advised she believed that an unknown female subject just stole from the store. Manager was able to point out the vehicle the suspect got into; however, she told Officer she was not 100% positive that the woman took something and would need to check the CCTV footage inside the store to be sure. After being advised the suspect had gotten into a vehicle, Officer confirmed with Manager which vehicle it was, a blue Ford Explorer (SC tag) with dark tinted windows. Once the license plate number was obtained, Officer made their way inside the store to make contact with Dixon again so they could review the CCTV footage. OffiDecember 17, 2025
cer was able to review CCTV footage while on scene and observed the following. On CCTV, at approximately 1500 hours, the suspect vehicle, a blue Ford Explorer, entered the parking lot on the side near Subway and two females exited the vehicle. An older woman (Suspect 2) in a white shirt with a green jacket gets out of the passenger side and comes to the driver side, where a younger woman (Suspect 1) in a dark shirt and glasses exits. Together the two women enter on the side of Food Lion near Subway and begin walking around the store. At approximately 1516 hours, the two females can be seen standing together in the back of the store near the meat department, possibly speaking with each other. Suspect 2, who had a small black cart with approximately $50 worth of merchandise inside is also carrying a black and white shoulder bag, which appeared to be flat and empty at the time. The two suspects look around the meat department for a moment before they head toward aisles 3 and 4, where they still have the cart of items with them. At approximately 1526, Suspect 2 can be seen walking out the same door that she walked in, but the black and white bag she had on her shoulder now appeared more full than it had when she initially entered. The suspect did pass all points of sale without attempting to render payment for any of the items hidden on her. Information Only/Reckless Driving Complaint: Reporting officer was advised by Dispatch of a possible reckless driver approaching the Town limits on Highway 1. Dispatch advised the complainant stated the vehicle had been traveling all over the roadway since Whitehead Road and they were still behind it giving current updates of its location. Officer was at the BP on Main Street when they observed the vehicle that had been described, a grey in color Toyota Corolla (SC tag), traveling partially in the lane of on coming traffic. At this time, Officer activated their blue lights and attempted to conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Officer activated their blue lights in front of 2469 Main Street in an attempt to pull over the vehicle. While Officer was behind the vehicle, they observed the driver fail to keep the vehicle within a single lane of travel, crossing over both the solid yellow line in the center of the road as well as the solid white line bordering the shoulder of the road. As the vehicle continued driving and failed to stop, as Officer was approaching the 2500 block of Main Street, Officer hit their air horn a few times in an attempt to get the attention of the driver with no response. At this time, assisting Chief Anders positioned his vehicle in
the path of the Suspect vehicle in another attempt to gain the drivers attention; however, the driver drove onto the shoulder of the road to go around Chief Ander's vehicle. Once the Suspect vehicle evaded Chief Anders vehicle, it then began to gain speed as it continued to flee from Officer. Dispatch was advised the Officer would be initiating a vehicle pursuit at this time as the vehicle continued traveling toward the end of the Town limits. When Officer and the Suspect vehicle reached the 2600 block of Main Street, Chief Anders got ahead of the Suspect vehicle and began bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop. Once the vehicle came to a stop in front of 2689 US 1, Officer as well as SGT Threatt, LT. De Long, and Chief Anders all drew their department issued 9mm Glock 17 handguns and began ordering the driver out of the vehicle. While commands were being given, LT. De Long made the observation the driver was elderly. At this time, Officer lowered their weapon to a low ready as they approached the vehicle, attempting to gain access to the driver. Responding units were able to get the vehicle drivers door open after the vehicle was unlocked from the passenger side and Officer immediately ordered the driver out of the vehicle. While Officer was asking the driver to step out of the vehicle, they holstered their weapon and gained physical control of the driver, assisting her out of the vehicle and into handcuffs. After the Suspect was placed into handcuffs SGT and Officer began asking her questions about what was going on. As Suspect was responding, she seemed extremely confused and appeared to be generally weak, having difficulty standing without Officer supporting her. At one point, SGT asked Suspect if she was aware of where she was at or what the day was and Suspect was unable to provide an answer. With the possibility of there being a medical problem that could explain the reckless driving and the lack of a smell of alcohol coming from her, EMS was called to the scene. Suspect was released from handcuffs, but secured in the rear of the Officer's patrol vehicle for safety. Shortly after being contacted, EMS arrived on scene and took Suspect into their care to get a better understanding of what could be happening medically. As a part of checking her vitals, EMS checked her blood sugar and advised Officer that at the time of the incident it was at 40, which explained why she was confused and seemed unaware of what was happening. Suspect was taken to the hospital to receive treatment and her vehicle was towed by the next wrecker service on rotation. 3
Christmastime In The Holy Land By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
Did you know that Christmas has not been celebrated in Bethlehem in two years? It is difficult to imagine Jesus’s birthplace in the hands of terrorists in the West Bank of Gaza. Bethlehem is located six miles south of Jerusalem in Israel. The Palestinian leaders in Bethlehem decided in 2020 to build a wall around the city, and today the city of over 28,000 people is not the bustling place it once was. There is a feeling of isolation and sadness according to residents who agree to be interviewed with their faces blurred. Hebrew is the official language of Israel. Other languages that are widely spoken are Arabic, Russian, Yiddish, and English. The population of Israel is over 9 million. Israel is the Holy Land. Many people have visited this sacred country to renew their Christian faith. I have been blessed to see pictures, slides, videos, and to hear speakers relate to how they walked where Jesus walked and prayed where Jesus prayed. Besides researching for this two-part article, (second part to be printed in the Easter issue) I also interviewed my husband’s first cousins from Elgin, Russell and Jackie Amerson who toured Israel June 15-24, 2022. Their tour group along with Lugoff friends Donna and Danny Tyner and Karen Rapier flew into Tel Aviv, capital of Israel. This Middle Eastern country is approximately the size of the state of New Jersey. They stayed in modern hotels with American TV and Wi-Fi, eating breakfast and dinner there and arranging lunch themselves. Transportation was by tour bus, with much walking to see local sites. Cars are small, mopeds common, and many vehicles park on sidewalks due to Israel's narrow roads. On the fourth day of their tour, they were able to visit Bethlehem and shop in the Nativity Souvenir Store for items such as wooden carvings from 1000-year-old olive trees, nativities, crosses, etc.
During their visit to Bethlehem, one stop was The Shepherd's Field, which is designed to resemble a shepherd's tent. The dome features small openings that, at midday, allow sunlight to enter, creating an effect reminiscent of the scene when angels are believed to have appeared to the shepherds on the Holy Night of Jesus’s birth. The Church of the Nativity, built over Jesus’s birthplace, is the world’s oldest active church and requires visitors to bow to enter the narrow site. Bethlehem is also important to the Jewish and Christian worshipers as it is believed to be the home of King David who was once a shepherd boy. It is also the setting for The Bible’ s Book of Ruth. Summer days are hot and dry while the winters are mild and wet. It is much like South Carolina’s climate. In December of 2013, a friend of mine was touring with a church choir from Columbia, SC. They sang beautiful Christmas hymns at Midnight Mass. As they left and walked outside, they witnessed a beautiful scene…a heavy snowfall had blanketed Bethlehem. It also snowed again on Christmas Eve in 2022. The marketplace offers a vibrant atmosphere because they are wide and open. There is little sanitation. Skinned rabbits and other meats such as goat and lamb hang from poles. Farmers sell figs, dates, olives and loaves of unwrapped bread. Jackie and Russell said that whenever they stopped at sites to use the restrooms there were armed guards at every station and various check points. All citizens of Israel serve in the military after high school: males are required to do three years and females two. Even though there was social unrest and constant threat of civil war in 2022, Jackie and Russell said that they felt safe and blessed by the opportunity to see the Bible come to life. May reading the Bible inspire your faith and courage during this season. This is the time that we need to pray for peace in our world and especially the “Little Town of Bethlehem.” May you keep the spirit and beauty of Christmas in your heart. May you make new memories and cherish old ones. Wishing you joyful moments, renewed hope, and strength as we close the year 2025. Peace and goodwill to all our readers, family, and friends. Merry Christmas!
803.513.5108 • elgin elginnews@gmail.com news@gmail.com • @theelginnews 4
December 17, 2025
December 17, 2025
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Elgin Celebrates 50th Stomp
Elgin’s beloved Catfish Stomp celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a milestone for one of the Midlands’ most enduring small-town traditions. What began in 1975 as a simple community gathering centered around steaming bowls of catfish stew has grown into a cherished annual festival that signals the start of the holiday season for thousands. In those early years, Elgin was home to around 600 residents, a closeknit community that managed to organize an event far larger than its population might suggest. Volunteers handled the cooking, setup, and planning, while churches, civic groups, and local businesses joined together to create something truly special. That spirit of teamwork and pride is what has carried the Catfish Stomp through five decades. A Glimpse Back to 1975 When the first Catfish Stomp was held, life looked very different. A new house cost about $48,000, gasoline was 59 cents a gallon, a movie ticket was $2.03, and the minimum wage was $2.10 an hour. Milk was $1.65 a gallon, eggs were 84 cents a dozen, a loaf of bread was 28 cents, and you could mail a letter with a 13 cent stamp. The festival was originally a three day event from Friday through Sunday, and the beloved catfish stew was served at the old Blaney Elementary School, which is now the location of Food Lion. As the celebration grew, more features were added. A parade joined the festivities a few years later and quickly became a favorite part of the weekend. Vendors offered arts,
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crafts, baked goods, and handmade items, giving the event the feel of a bustling hometown market. In the early days, the Catfish Stomp included a community run. Participants paid a 4 dollar entry fee and received a commemorative T shirt. Through every change, the heart of the event remained the same. Neighbors gathered, shared food, and celebrated community. 2025 Catfish Stomp Parade Winners This year’s parade continued the tradition of festive creativity and hometown pride. Our judges faced tough decisions, and we are proud to announce the 2025 winners: • Most Christmas Spirit: Evans Heating & Cooling • Best Church: Sandhills Baptist Church • Best Civic Group: Councilwoman Brandy Bradley • Most Comical: BUMS, Jamil Shriners • Honorable Mention: Lighthouse Christian Ministries • Overall Best Entry: Castle Amusements From steaming stew served at the old schoolhouse to today’s bustling Saturday celebration, the Catfish Stomp remains a symbol of everything that makes Elgin special. Built by volunteers, embraced by families, and cherished by generations, it continues to bring the community together year after year. Here's to 50 years of the Catfish Stomp and many more memories still to come.
December 17, 2025
Merry Christmas!
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December 17, 2025
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Lugoff-Elgin High Names Mr. LE 2025
Congratulations to 2025-2026 Mr. LE winners: Wyatt Rabon, Mr. Hunk; Grayson Proctor, 1st Runner Up; Reid Hinson, Mr. LE; JR Pondish, 2nd Runner up; Cam Morrison, Mr. Congeniality
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December 17, 2025
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NOTICE FROM KERSHAW COUNTY
Beware of Planning & Zoning Scam
Kershaw County is issuing an urgent alert to citizens regarding a recent scam involving our Planning and Zoning Department. Scammers are using sophisticated tactics to impersonate county employees to acquire funds under false pretenses. The Planning and Zoning Department sends invoices for building permits, zoning permits, major subdivision projects, major group development projects, minor group development projects, Board of Zoning Appeals cases and Planning Commission cases through, Evolve, Planning & Zoning’s online portal and an email is generated is from a Kershaw County Planning and Zoning staff member's @kershaw.sc.gov email address. To pay for Planning & Zoning fees, the applicant can make a secure payment online with a card from the Evolve online portal through their account or can make payments via cash or check in the Planning and Zoning office. Kershaw County Planning and Zoning will never ask the applicant to wire transfer fees/payments through an outside party/bank. Any residents having concerns when making payments for any county government service, please contact the department receiving the funds with questions. For Planning and Zoning questions, call 803.425.7233.
Christmas Book Drive at Lugoff-Elgin Middle
Lugoff-Elgin Middle School is proud to announce the launch of its International Christmas Book Drive, running now through December 17, 2025. This initiative supports two remote public high schools in the Philippines through a partnership with the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) Teacher’s Guild in Cagayan de Oro City. The beneficiary schools currently have no libraries and extremely limited learning resources. Through the donation of new or gently used middle and high school–level books, the LEMS community will help establish their first classroom libraries and expand educational opportunities for students in underserved areas. How the Community Can Participate: • Donate new or gently used books appropriate for grades 6–12. • Donations should be submitted to the LEMS Library • Donations will be accepted through December 17, 2025. All shipping costs for the project will be fully covered through grant funding, ensuring every book donated directly benefits students who need them most. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share the spirit of giving with our students while supporting young learners across the globe,” said the organizers. “This initiative reflects our school’s commitment to compassion, generosity, and global citizenship.” For more information, please contact Mrs. Kristine Adams at kristine.adams@kcsdschools.net.
FREE Gospel Singing New Year's Eve Event
Free Event – Early bird New Year’s Eve gospel singing! The public is invited to see the legendary gospel Solotones on December 31st, at 6:00 pm till 7:30 pm, at the Jubilee Theater, 411 Hwy 601 South, Lugoff, SC. A Love Offering will be received. For more information: contact 803-600-8765.
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2547 Main Street, Elgin • (803) 408-0965
December 17, 2025
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50th Annual Catfish Stomp
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December 17, 2025
Holiday Patrol With Your KCSO
From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, your KCSO implements an “all hands on deck” approach to keep our community safe throughout the holiday season. During this period, no deputies are permitted to take vacation, ensuring we have maximum coverage around the clock. Our School Resource Officers (SROs) will shift into residential patrols each afternoon after school and every day while school is out, focusing on what we call “Porch Pirate Patrols.” Investigators and administrative deputies will also rotate through evening and night time shifts to keep an eye on remote businesses. We are committed to doing everything we can to protect our community—but we can’t be everywhere at once. Your awareness and cooperation are essential. HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS • • • •
Maintain strong situational awareness. Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid risky situations. Try not to shop alone, and choose well-lit parking areas— especially after dark. Keep your vehicle locked at all times, whether you’re inside it or not. Do not leave valuables visible in your car. Secure them in the trunk or conceal them.
• • •
Never leave a firearm in an unsecured vehicle. Don’t let your protection become a criminal’s weapon. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and try not to carry a purse if possible. When using an ATM, choose a safe location, withdraw only what you need, and shield your PIN.
Don’t drink and drive. Plan ahead and designate a sober driver for holiday gatherings. • Regularly check your bank and card statements for suspicious activity. • And once again—always stay aware of your surroundings. Happy holidays! •
Consider Monthly Giving To Fostering Foster
Fostering Foster continues its mission to give every animal a chance at a healthy and loving future. The nonprofit credits the support of its donors for enabling the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of countless animals throughout the community. The organization has announced the expansion of its Monthly Giving Program, which provides supporters with an opportunity to make a steady, ongoing impact. According to Fostering Foster, monthly contributions help ensure reliable funding for food, medical care, and other essential needs, allowing the rescue to plan more effectively for the animals in its care. The program is designed to be flexible and December 17, 2025
convenient, offering donors the ability to select a contribution amount that suits their budget. Monthly supporters also receive exclusive updates, including success stories and behind-thescenes insights into the rescue operations, giving them a closer look at the lives they help change. By joining the Monthly Giving Program, participants become part of a community committed to providing second chances for vulnerable animals. The organization encourages anyone interested in learning more or signing up to scan the informational code provided. Fostering Foster emphasizes that ongoing community support remains vital to its ability to save lives and foster hope for animals in need.
Scan below to donate:
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