PANORAMA
THE SUMTER ITEM
NEW ARRIVAL
Carson Taylor Geddings Zachary and Samantha Geddings of Sumter announce the birth of a son, Carson Taylor Geddings, on Aug. 16, 2015, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. Carson weighed 6 pounds and 14 ounces. He was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Ronald Wendell Tisdale, Stephanie Denise Tisdale, David Horton, Blake and Robin Geddings and Marie Russell, all of Sumter. Great-grandparents are George and Susie Stinney, Kenny and Kathie Creel, Diane Turbville, Billy and Kitty Caples, Eddie Truesdale and Myrane Payne, all of Sumter, and Ronald David and Deloris Ann Tisdale of Kingstree. Great-great-grandparents are Virgie Corbett of Camden and Deloris Gause of Kingstree. Great-great-great-grandmother is Susannah Welch. Mrs. Geddings is the former Samantha Tisdale.
Holiday cards with an artful edge BY KIM COOK The Associated Press Christmas and seasonal greeting cards have long been an artistic niche that inspires illustrators and designers. Besides today’s ubiquitous family photo cards, contemporary designs often take advantage of advances in drafting and production — holography, music embeds, digital photography and laser-cutting among them. Other designs begin life with time-honored tools such as the paint pot, pencil box and scissors. Shondra Neumayer of Portland, Oregon, combines modern vintage-style typography, folk-arty woodland silhouettes and antiquestyle, marquee-light imagery with rustic barn-board backgrounds in cards she sells at her Etsy shop, InkDropDesign. She began designing cards out of frustration with what she saw as a market filled with cheap and cheesy holiday cards. https://www. etsy.com/shop/inkdropdesign “Going to the mailbox should be an exciting event,” she says. “Each (year) I found myself asking the question, ‘Why can’t Christmas cards be cool?’” The Museum of Modern Art in New York has been
selling holiday cards since 1954. Chay Costello, the museum’s associate director of marketing, says the card program began as a way to foster and encourage young and emerging artists by exposing their work to a larger audience. The program’s early years included work by Alexander Calder, Robert Indiana and Andy Warhol. Costello says Indiana’s famous “Love” illustration was originally created as a holiday card. MoMA’s card art is selected through an open submission process, and the museum receives hundreds of designs annually. Pop-up cards have become particularly popular. “We started to see an increasing trend toward cards with special features,” Costello says. “Instead of a card with graphic artwork on its front, many artists have begun to think threedimensionally, with spiraling and fold-out elements and elaborately crafted popout constructions that result in a card that’s a gift in and of itself.” The designs feature paper manipulation at its best: shimmering snowflakes, shooting stars, skiing rein-
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Brooklyn-based Australian artist Sophie Blackall’s “Festive Dinner Table,” a holiday dinner party pops out at you, and there’s a family of realistic, charming characters seated around the table. It’s one of the highlights of the Museum of Modern Art’s holiday card collection this year.
deer and holiday bouquets that “bloom” when the card is opened. There are twirling ornaments, sleds that swoosh through a forest, Santa perched precariously on a ladder decorating a tree and a paper bucket full of holiday champagne. New York-based Elsa Mora’s “Wintertale” card includes a village complete with homes, holly and dancing children. “Festive Dinner Table,” a card by artist Sophie Blackall of Brooklyn, opens to a holiday dinner party. www.momastore.org
EARLY WEDDING / ENGAGEMENT DEADLINES The deadline for engagement and wedding announcements to publish in the Nov. 28 edition was noon on Nov. 17. The deadline for the Dec. 27 edition is noon on Dec. 15. Engagement and wedding announcements of local interest are published on Sundays. The normal deadline is noon on the preceding Monday. For additional information, call (803) 774-1264.
EDUCATION FROM PAGE C2 Dennis, Joshua Baptist Church, Oakland Primary; Allen Bailey, C. A. Harler Trophies and Engraving, Pocalla Springs; Arthur Gibbons, International Paper, R.E. Davis; Ricky McLeod, Piggly Wiggly and Willie Sue’s, Rafting Creek; Mark Mossell, First Citizens Bank, Shaw Heights; Chris Hardy, president and CEO of Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, Wilder; and Caleb McGowan, NBSC, Willow Drive. The middle school Principals for the Day were: John Summerford, adjunct professor at USC Sumter, Alice Drive; Stewart Schnur, pastor of Plaza Church of Christ, Bates; Jason Phelps, Jostens, Chestnut Oaks; Dusty Rhodes, president of Rhodes Graduation Services, Ebenezer Middle; Detra Mardis, Eaton Corp., Furman Middle; Sam McLeod, owner of Sonic, Hillcrest; and Tim Ervolina, president and CEO of United Way Association of South Carolina, Mayewood Middle. At the high school level, the principals were: Lorenzo Bowen, Zebra Custom Designs, Crestwood; Walter (Chuck) Wilson Jr., director of public relations, UBI Inc., Lakewood; Fraendy Clervand, WACH Fox News, Sumter High; Fred H. Gordon, Sumter County Magistrate, Brewington Academy; and Ginny Dority, Caterpillar, Sumter Career and Technology Center. The Principal for the Day program was sponsored by Childs and Halligan, P.A., presenting sponsor, and supporting sponsors Rhodes Graduation Services, Inc.-Jostens, First Citizens Bank and C.A. Harler Trophies and Engraving.
JOHNSON NAMED STAR TEACHER Aaron Johnson, sixth-grade science teacher at Mayewood Middle School, was named the November Star Teacher of the Month in the program sponsored by Community Broadcasters. He and Superintendent Baker appeared on the Good Morning Sumter show on FM 105.9 with host Derek Burress. Johnson is a graduate of Crestwood High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Morris College. He began his career in education at Chestnut Oaks Middle School before transferring to Mayewood two years ago. In addition to teaching, Johnson is the adviser to a club he formed called GQ, which stands for Genuine Quality, which mentors and works with young men. He brought one of his former students with him, who is now in high school, who said Johnson continues to have a positive impact on his life. Johnson credits some of his success as a teacher to fostering relationships with students and to finding innovative ways to get the students excited about learning. Baker said Sumter School District is proud to have teachers of Johnson’s quality in the district. He said, “Not only does Mr. Johnson find unique ways to teach, citing his use of a pool table in his classroom, but he also has the highest sixth-grade science scores in the district.” One teacher from a Sumter School District school is chosen each month for the honor of being the Star Teacher of the Month. Students nominate the teachers for the recognition. The program is sponsored by Staples and Flowers & Baskets Florist. Sumter School District appreciates the support of Community Broadcasters and the two sponsors
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Man that works with wife acts more than awkward DEAR ABBY — My husband and I have a great relationship. We work in the same school system. He’s an adminisDear Abby trator; I am a ABIGAIL counselor. VAN BUREN We sometimes go to joint meetings, but when we do, he always acts awkward, like he doesn’t even know me. I understand we have to behave professionally, but not as if we don’t know each other. Recently, we were leaving a meeting, and no one was around. I was going to give him a peck on the lips to say goodbye, and he turned away as if he wanted nothing to do with me. What is the proper etiquette when spouses work together? More than a co-worker in Georgia DEAR MORE — Demonstrations of physical affection are not appropriate in a workplace situation if other people are present. You say you and your husband have a “great” relationship, so I’m advising you to discuss this with him and tell him how it made you feel. Because no one was around, there should have been no harm in a simple “peck” goodbye. Personally, I think he owes you an apology. What he did wasn’t nice. DEAR ABBY — My calico cat, Rosie, seems to be fixated on my next-door neighbor Ron. Every morning Rosie grooms herself for an hour, then jumps in the window to watch for Ron to go for his morning run. She sits there until Ron comes out of his house. He exercises a lot and has kept himself in shape, while I admit I have let myself go. As soon as she sees him, Rosie starts purring. I have to say that I resent this. I provide her with room and board and brush her regularly, but while I’m doing it, she watches the window intently and then bolts to her lookout post if Ron appears. I bought new window treatments, which she scratched her way through, damaging
for recognizing our teachers and supporting the public school system in our community.
DISTRICT CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING All Sumter School District schools and the district office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays this week. Normal operations will resume on Nov. 30. — Mary B. Sheridan
Sumter Christian School VETERANS APPRECIATED We love and appreciate our veterans at Sumter Christian School. On Nov. 11, there was a special chapel to honor and hear testimonies from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Desert Shield veterans to foster a spirit of gratitude and patriotism in our students. Students sang patriotic songs, made cards and gave each veteran a special gift. The five veteran speakers were Fred Huth representing the Navy, Mike Duffy and Mrs. Susan Duffy representing the Army, Tom Cope representing the Air Force and Scott Burke representing the Navy, along with Cody Jandzinski, who is serving in the Army. Fifth-grade teacher Laurance Kannon said, “What a blessing it was to hear godly veterans give testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ and tell of God’s grace and protection on the battlefield.” SCS students and faculty enjoyed participating in Spirit Week on Nov. 9-13. Wonderwoman, Captain America, Catwoman, Peter Parker and several versions of Batman showed up to school for Superhero/Villain Monday. On Camo Tuesday, students and teachers were hard to spot in their camouflage clothing, some covered
the blinds and shades. Filling her food dish strategically before Ron goes out doesn’t deter her. I love my cat, but I feel she is being unfaithful. What should I do? P.S. I’m happily married (my wife thinks I’m crazy) and Rosie has been fixed. Larry in Delaware DEAR LARRY — What a sad situation. Few things are more painful than feeling rejected by a love object. You didn’t mention how sedentary you are, but it’s possible that Rosie watches Ron because he is a MOVING OBJECT. Consider joining Ron on his runs, and you may find Rosie is watching you, too. However, if that doesn’t work, you may have to share the affections of your cat. Accept it. DEAR ABBY — My wife and I host many holidays, Thanksgiving, Passover, etc. Invariably, everyone gathers in the family room, and several people put their legs up on the ottoman with their shoes on. It drives me crazy! I view it as no different than walking on someone’s furniture. My wife thinks I should say something. I actually have done that in the past, but not for years. When I did, it made me look like the bad guy. Is this a weird fetish of mine or am I right? Paul in Buffalo Grove, Illinois DEAR PAUL — If you prefer that your guests not put their feet on your furniture with their shoes on, speak up and say so. Doing that doesn’t make you a bad guy or a fetishist. It’s your home, your preference, and it isn’t rude to address something that bothers you, especially because it’s something that you have mentioned before. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
head to toe. Armed with greasy hair, taped glasses, high-water pants and pocket protectors, students and faculty skittishly progressed through their classes on Nerd Day Wednesday. Everyone had a good laugh on Tacky Thursday when people came to school with mismatched clothes and outrageous accessories. Finally, students enjoyed their classes in jeans and school T-shirts on School Spirit Friday while the junior and senior classes labored to have everything set up for another successful Fall Fest. More than 300 people helped SCS kick off the 19th-annual Fall Fest with games such as Peg the Pig (an Angry Birds spin-off), Minute-toWin-It and Pumpkin Mania. The hay ride and the bounce house were among the favorite activities. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful variety of food — elephant ears, cotton candy, hamburgers, chicken quarters, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, popcorn, fries and of course candy everywhere. Students, families and the Sumter community enjoyed fun games and great fellowship in a safe environment. We commend the junior and senior classes under the leadership of junior sponsor Laura Mahoney and senior sponsor Carol Rollings for all the hard work that they put into making this year’s Fall Fest a success. They spent weeks preparing decorations, working with local business for donations, organizing a seemingly infinite amount of supplies and cleaning it all up once everything was finished. Senior Demi Synosky described the work saying, “Sometimes it can be frustrating, but for the most part it’s been fun.” The senior class uses all proceeds to support its senior trip. — Miriam Marritt