Southern charm

WASHINGTON -- After writing close to 3,000 columns, I've learned that people sometimes read what they're looking for, often as a result of a headline, rather than what I wrote.

First Palmetto to hold annual meeting

First Palmetto Financial Corporation, the holding company for First Palmetto Bank, will hold its' 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 10 a.m. on May 19, 2014.

Demons ruin Dogfest

While some of the numbers may have been similar, the only one which mattered was the final outcome.

Lady Knights tied for 3-AA ead after edging Pelion, 7-6

With four games last week, the North Central softball team knew it was in for a tough stretch with three of their opponents sitting in the top 10 in the state rankings.

What companies look for

An article in your March 28 edition covered (Ben) Connell's entry into the Kershaw County Council chairmanship race. He seems like a respectable, capable and credible young man. However, I would like to reflect on a statement credited to him in the article. He supposedly said premium recreation areas attract industries and the professionals who operate them. Further, these young professionals would be drawn to the area because you have something for their kids to do.

Bush v. Clinton?

In a political era in which presidential races drag on for years, not merely months, Kershaw County voters could well find themselves by the end of 2014 looking at a race between two recycled political families -- the Clintons and the Bushes. News reports indicate that Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, is seriously considering a bid for the White House, inching away from the coy stance he's been taking. And Hillary Clinton has virtually paralyzed the Democrats' primary process, as nobody is willing to jump into a race until she decides whether she's going to run. If she ...

Twins lead CHS track squads

Both the Camden High boys and girls track teams are off to strong starts to the year and they are making preparations for a strong showing at the Region 4-AAA championship meet to be held later this month.

Schoodic, For Non Stop score wins at Colonial, Stoneybrook

Edith R. Dixon's Schoodic remained unbeaten over fences when he powered to a 1 1/2-length victory in the $25,000 Dogwood Classic allowance hurdle, the featured race of the second annual Dogwood Classic meet at Colonial Downs in Virginia on Saturday

Book Launch Party for Kami Kinard’s The Boy Problem

Books on Broad will be hosting Camden native Kami Kinard as she signs her latest novel, The Boy Problem: Notes and Predictions of Tabitha Reddy May 1 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Books on Broad is located at 944 Broad St., in Camden. The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and autographing. The books are also available for pre-order at www.booksonbroad.com.

Grahame Butler-Nixon Scholarship

Grace Episcopal Church is now accepting applications for the Grahame Butler-Nixon Scholarship.

Steeplechase Museum art exhibit Friday, Saturday

The National Steeplechase Museum at Springdale Racecourse, 200 Knights Hill Road in Camden, will hold an exhibition featuring the best in original contemporary British equestrian art Friday and Saturday. Land Rover of Columbia is proud to sponsor this exhibit, entitled "Horsepower from Across the Pond."

Curves of Camden holds food drive for Sacks of Love

Community invited to ‘Active and Healthy Easter Egg Hunt’

Let's Move Camden and Kershaw County is having the first annual "Active and Healthy Easter Egg Hunt" on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lot next to the Farmer's Market in Camden (corner of Rutledge and Church Streets) for kids aged three to eight. Let's Move is the Michelle Obama federal program working against childhood obesity. Community members are encouraged to come join the fun time with Easter Egg Races and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Jean Eddings

Mrs. Jean Tollison Chickering Eddings passed away April 6, 2014.

Betty Goude

Betty Goude went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully asleep on Saturday, April 05, 2014. She was born in Scranton, SC on December 7, 1929 to Rev. and Mrs. Ernest B. Lee, Pentecostal Holiness ministers. On April 11, 1947 she married Rev. James M. Goude, a Church of God minister. She is predeceased by her mother and father, Ernest and Hatttie Lee, her husband, James Goude, two brothers and one sister. She is survived by her sister, Nolie Terry of The Villages in Florida, and three children – her oldest son Rev. James Dexter Goude and his wife Tammy ...

Star-studded cast headed to Saturday's Camden Mania II

Five-time World Championship Wrestling Tag Team champion Buff Bagwell will headline a star-studded Saturday evening's (April 26) card at Camden Mania II, an SWA Wrestling extravaganza that supports community programs, at Camden's E. Clarkson Rhame City Arena.

Lady Knights fall to FC; finish second in 3-AA

Fairfield Central spoiled North Central's chance of playing for the Region 3-AA softball title as the host Griffins handed the Lady Knights a 7-6 loss in Monday's conference finale.

Bennie James Clinton

Bennie James Clinton was born September 11th, 1942 to the loving late parents John Clinton Jr. and Maybell Clark Clinton. His religious upbringing was at Red Hill Baptist Church in Cassatt South Carolina under the leadership of his grandfather the late Rev. J.C. Clinton. He married Clara Arlene Barksdale on April 19th, 1965 and from this union one daughter Sherri Alisa Clinton was born.

Polly Davis Dinkins

Mrs. Polly Davis Dinkins, 92, of 714 George Wright Street, Camden died Sunday. Family and Friends may call at 307 Doby Street, Kirkwood Community, Camden. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date by Brown's Funeral Home, Camden, who is serving the Dinkins Family.

Addie Mae Wood Jones

Mrs. Addie Mae Wood Jones, 93, of Camden, entered into eternal rest on Friday, April 11, 2014. Born in Blaney, S.C. on March 28, 1921, to the late Dixon, Sr. and Carrie Martin Wood. Grave Side Services were held Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Ten a.m., at Cedars Cemetery, Camden. Mrs. Jones is survived by her sons, Von and John Henry Jones; two sisters, Alberta W. Addison of Elgin, S.C. and Eloise W. Jones of New York City, N.Y., Brown's Funeral Home, Camden, served the Jones family.

Arthur Herbert Stewart, Jr.

Funeral service for Mr. Arthur Herbert Stewart, Jr., 66, of 1802 Kennedy Drive in Camden will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014, 12:00 P.M. at Edwards Chapel AME Zion Church with burial Monday, 2:00 P.M. in the Ft. Jackson National cemetery. Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Alan Underwood

A memorial service to celebrate the life of James Alan Underwood, 87, of Camden, SC, will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, 1112 Fair Street in Camden. Burial will be in Moultrie, GA. Memorials may be made in Alan's memory to Trinity Baptist Church, 201 12th Avenue SE, Moultrie, GA 31768.

Playground upgrade

The city of Camden recently installed this new playground equipment at City Arena Park at the corner of Bull and Market streets across from Zemp Stadium. A $23,526 S.C. Parks and Recreation Department grant, along with $5,881 in matching city funds, paid not only for the play structure but a new swing set, timber borders and fall-zone mulch. "We are excited to provide all these needed improvements for the neighborhood children and are thankful to our local legislators for supporting our grant applications for this project," Camden Mayor Tony Scully said. Improvements to Edgewood Park at Elmore ...

Giving Back

Recently, I was listening to a talk radio host railing about how public schools "no longer teach values." This issue seems to be a mantra of sorts for some folks in the media, many of whom I suspect haven't been anywhere near a public school in years. As someone who is in public schools every day, I can't for the life of me figure out what this view is based on. I know it's not based on reality.

Easter Memories and Hope

It is each of the many Easters of my life that I remember more clearly than any other holiday. Christmases blur together with only a few standing out in my memory such as the one when it snowed all day, the year I lost my voice completely, and the two times that I wasn't home – one working in Washington, D.C. and another in London.

This week in Kershaw County sports

Monday: Lugoff-Elgin in Anderson Brothers Bank Tournament at Florence (G- 1 p.m.); Camden Military Academy at North Central (TEN – 5 p.m.); Camden Military Academy at Trinity-Byrnes (BSOC - 6 p.m.); North Central at Fairfield Central (BB – 6 p.m.); Camden Military Academy at North Central (BB – 6 p.m.)

Noted and passed - April 21, 2014

** Thomas Ravenel, the former state treasurer who served prison time for cocaine distribution, now stars in a reality television show called "Southern Charm." Ravenel stumbles through the show in a haze of alcohol and bad judgment. He and his girlfriend, who's 30 years his junior, recently had a baby in Florida. Ravenel says he intends to revive his political career by running for the U. S. Senate from the Palmetto State. The guys in Vegas would probably lay some long odds on his chances for success.

Celebration of life held for Camden philanthropist, Margaret Hebard Lloyd

More than 100 local fiends joined the family of Margaret H. ("Peggy") Lloyd to celebrate her life at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County earlier this month.

Evelyn Johnson celebrates 100th birthday

A large group of friends and family gathered April 2 with Evelyn Johnson to help her celebrate her 100th birthday with a party at Pinedale Residential Care. Many attendees traveled from out of state to join the celebration of this impressive milestone.

Rec. Notes: KC swim team registration

The Kershaw County Swim team will have registration April 21 through May 9.