Robert Ariail -- Sept. 23, 2011

Romney/Perry: two-way race?

With the steady fade of Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman, the Republican nomination for president appears to be narrowing into a two-way race between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry. That doesn't mean, of course, that things couldn't turn suddenly; four years ago, John McCain appeared dead in the water but mounted a strong comeback to win the nomination. But in this instance, it looks like it might be hand-to-hand combat between Romney and Perry, with the rest of the candidates left on the outside, looking in.

College sports in chaos

Call me a hypocrite, and you'll be pretty darned accurate if you're talking about big-time college athletics.

Blessing of the animals

On Oct. 1 at 11 a.m., a special lakeside service will be held for the animals in the Kershaw County community. Dr. Gene Rollins (above), minister at Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church (LHPC), will conduct the sixth annual Blessing of the Animals on Lake Wateree to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi's October 1182 birthday. St. Francis is known for his love of animals and the environment. Rollins will speak on the significance of the day and will then bless each animal individually. The custom, observed all over the world at this time of year, is meant to remind the ...

It’s all about attitude

I, like any normal person, have my list of complaints, my daily doses of "woe is me" fits. I complain when the light turns red, and I am in a hurry. I, as a student, complain when a certain grade isn't reached or the teacher gives me and my peers "too much homework." Honestly, minuscule complaints in comparison to real problems that deserve grievances.

Camden beats Lugoff-Elgin in United Way campaign competition

Camden High School took home the Caring Cup Sept. 17 when they surpased Lugoff-Elgin High School by more than $7,000. CHS students raised $13,700. L-EHS brought in just more than $6,500.

Halloween treats and sweets

Get your Halloween thrills and chills at the SAFE Scream on the Green, to be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at Camden's Town Green.

Edward Blakeney

Graveside funeral services for Harry Edward "Ed" Blakeney, of Kershaw, will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Kershaw City Cemetery. Rev. Bryant Fersner will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Parlor. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 67, Kershaw, S.C. 29067.

Herman Bowers

Herman Bowers, 67, of Camden, husband of Linda Tillman Bowers, died Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Sumter East Health and Rehabilitation Center, Sumter. Born January 14, 1944 in Brownsville, PA, he was the son of the late Henry Bowers and Viola Moses Bowers.

Betty Ray Wannamaker

Betty Ray Davis Wannamaker, Orangeburg. Services were held at 2:00 PM Thursday September 22nd at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Orangeburg, SC, followed by internment at Sunnyside Cemetery. Family received friends after the service at the residence, 2225 Broughton St., Orangeburg.

Drag races to honor memory of Cody Wrenn

The second annual Cody Allen Wrenn Memorial Drag Race will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Midlands Raceway Park in Lugoff.

Wooten wins C-I football contest

Elizabeth Wooten missed just one game, but still had to go to the tie-breaker before winning the last week's Chronicle-Independent football contest.

Carolina Challenge trophy stays home at North Central

For the second time in three years, the North Central High volleyball team proved to be inhospitable hostesses as the Lady Knights won their own Carolina Challenge Volleyball Tournament held Saturday in Boonetown.

Raymond C. Harris

Raymond C. Harris, 90, of Fayetteville, GA, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Thelma Brannon Harris, and his brother Walter Harris. Left to celebrate his life is his son, Wayne Harris (Marilyn) of Fayetteville, many nieces and nephews, family members and friends earned over a lifetime.

Robert Ariail -- Sept. 21, 2011

Sarah Presley Drakeford

Mrs. Sarah Presley Drakeford, 88, of 2208 Pickett Street, Camden died Monday. Family Friends may call at 1310 Old River Road, Camden. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date by Brown's Funeral Home, Camden, who is serving the Drakeford Family.

Margie Horton

Funeral service for Margie Phyllis Flynn Horton, 78, will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, Lancaster, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Ricki Phipps and the Rev. Danny Johnson will officiate. The family received friends Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff. Memorials may be made to KershawHealth Hospice.

Military Briefs: Army Pfc. McKenzie graduates from basic combat training

Army Pfc. Cameron J. McKenzie has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Yesteryear for March 5, 2014

Polo, barbecue will benefit Montessori Learning Center

Obama’s best hope for change

WASHINGTON -- President Obama's new outreach initiative to help at-risk boys of color -- "My Brother's Keeper" -- is cause for cheer.

Why are we abusing our children in South Carolina?

This is a simple question, and the answer is not simple, but there is something that we can all do to help, and we can do it right now -- today.

Ariail for March 5, 2014

Reid’s hypocrisy

We aren't very keen on so-called super PACS, those political organizations which spend limitless money promoting one viewpoint or another. They buy huge blocks of television and radio time, along with newspaper ads, to launch attack ads against candidates, with much of the material in the ads questionable at best. Super PACS are a sad sign of what our political process has become.

NC’s Gomez, L-E’s Jackson finish third in state

A pair of Kershaw County wrestlers recorded top three finishes while another came home in fourth from last weekend's South Carolina High School League state championships held at the Anderson Civic Center.

L-E strands dozen runners in 4-2 loss to Rebels

Randy Stokes was fine with the 11 hits which his Lugoff-Elgin baseball team piled up in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Mid-Carolina at River Bluff High School.

Camden Coin club to host Spring Coin Show

On Saturday, March 22, the Camden Coin club will hold its annual Spring Coin Show at the Camden Recreation Department on Hwy. #1 South in Camden.

LF-R chief gets prepared for disasters

Emergency managers from across South Carolina are meeting this week at the annual S.C. Emergency Management Association Conference in Myrtle Beach. Among those training for disaster preparedness is Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) Chief Dennis Ray, who also serves as the public information officer for Kershaw County Emergency Mangement.

Christmas sentenced to 18 years for sexually assaulting girls

An Elgin man arrested twice for separate instances of sexually assaulting young girls will spent the next 18 years behind bars.

Friday to be regular KCSD school day

Due to recent inclement weather, Friday will be a regular school day for Kershaw County School District (KCSD) students. The 2013-14 KCSD calendar approved in December of 2012 originally indicated that Friday would be a professional development day for teachers unless needed as an inclement weather make up day.

Camden Community Concert Band to perform Sunday

The Camden Community Concert Band (CCCB) will present its winter concert on Sunday at the Performing Arts Center at Camden High School. Start time is 3 p.m. and admission is free. The CCCB is under direction of founding conductor Pat Wylie. This concert season ia Wylie's last as conductor. After more than 30 years as the band's leader, he ia stepping down as the conductor. "We are dedicating this season to Pat," said Johnny Deal, the band's business manager. "Pat is the reason the CCCB has been in our community for over 30 years."