How did you spend your "Snow Day" last week?

Words that don't heal

WASHINGTON -- Sarah Palin feels victimized by critics who accuse her of helping create an angry political climate that led to the Tucson shootings, and she has a point. She chose a truly unfortunate way to make it, using the phrase "blood libel."

Become an involved volunteer with the Red Cross

Want to learn how to give back to your community in 2011? Get involved with the American Red Cross! Come by an open house drop-in 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Kershaw County Service Center office, located at 632 W. DeKalb St., Camden, to learn how to volunteer, donate blood, host a blood drive, and other ways to support our lifesaving organization.

Girl Scout cookies go on sale across the country

The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program, the $700 million, largest girl-led business in the country, is offering a new cookie and new packaging this year in South Carolina. Door-to-door sales began Jan. 14, and the dates for the sales at local retail locations are weekends from Feb. 25, through March 25. Prices remain unchanged from last year at $3.50 per box.

Clinic Classic 10k run, 5k run/walk set for April 16

The fourth annual Clinic Classic 10k run and 5k walk/run, presented by McDonald's, will take to the streets of Camden on Saturday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m.

Creeping critters

Demons drop pair to Ridge View

Senior guard Jo Jo Pellegrino scored a career-best 40 points, but it was not enough to help Lugoff-Elgin get past host Ridge View in a Region 4-4A boys game played Friday night in Columbia.

This week in Kershaw County sports

Tuesday: North Central, Dreher at Camden Military Academy (WR – 5 p.m.); Camden at Lakewood (BB – 6 p.m.); Spring Valley at Lugoff-Elgin (BB – 6 p.m.); North Central at C.A. Johnson (BB – 6:30 p.m.)

Robert Ariail -- Jan. 17, 2011

Noted and passed

• If you think the Kennedy family no longer has clout, consider: Caroline Kennedy is said to be the driving force behind the cancellation of the History Channel's series on the family, though the executive producer insists the script was meticulously researched and historically accurate. He said the aim was to produce a story that showed the family's difficulties as well as triumphs, and JFK's romantic trysts were included. Of course it's not only ...

What's so bad about civility?

Just as it sometimes takes a scandal to engage Americans in a national conversation about sex, race or some other touchy topic, it sadly has taken a deranged gunman to launch us into a national argument about civility.

Proposed legislation impacting K-12 education

The beginning of a new year brings the start of many activities, including the opening of the 2011 session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Obviously, our legislators face more than even the usual level of challenges because of the $1 billion budget shortfall and the redrawing of legislative districts that will be done as a result of the 2010 census. As part of their deliberations, legislators will tackle a variety of issues related ...

Favoritism drives wedge between wife and in-laws

Dear Annie: I've been married to "Nate" for 16 years. He is wonderful, but blind to the way his family behaves. These people have never been particularly warm toward me or my children from my first marriage. Nate and I have a child together, and they treat her with the same indifference. They give the other grandchildren expensive toys for Christmas, and ours get junk. The favoritism now extends to the great-grandchildren. I've tried to ...

Happy 70th Anniversary!

Marion and Frankie Morgan of Camden celebrated their wedding anniversary on January 12th. They have three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The couple celebrated the milestone with family and friends at the Family Life Center, Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church.

Camden ties to Columbia baseball team

Tryouts were held in August and October to choose the players for the Team South Carolina baseball team (9U). The team played two tournaments in November and December (taking first place in the Winterfest NIT tournament in Lexington) before traveling to Orlando, Fla. to play in the Global Winter World Series Championship (Dec. 27-30). Team South Carolina played eight games and finished as runner-ups in the World Series and were awarded the Runner-up plaque and ...

Seniors reflect

I meet with a lot of groups and committees over the course of the year, and I think it's important for me to do so. One of my favorite groups is Student Cabinet, which is comprised of student government leaders from each of our high schools. We meet four times a year over lunch. What I love and value about students is that they don't hesitate to tell you what's ...

A matter of conscience:

In 1929, my family moved from Chesterfield County to a farm adjoining the farm of Donald Holland's parents in the Cassatt community. I was a year old at the time but before many years passed, Donald and I established a friendship lasting until Donald's passing in 2003.

The one that didn’t get away

Magistrate swearing in

Kershaw County community members celebrated as former Kershaw County Recreation Center Director James E. Davis Jr. was sworn in as a county magistrate judge on Thursday afternoon. Kershaw County Councilman Jimmy Jones, Fifth Circuit Assistant Solicitor Brett Perry and Rep. Laurie S. Funderburk spoke at the short ceremony at the Kershaw County Court House. Judge Roderick M. Todd Jr. called the ceremony to order; Clerk of Court Joyce McDonald administered the oath; Rev. Constance ...

Former Demon Tisdale earns coaching honor in Florida

Former Lugoff-Elgin and Winthrop University baseball standout Eddie Tisdale has been named as the District 4A-13 baseball coach of the year this week by Broward (Fla.) High School Baseball.

Jane Barron Henry

A memorial service for Jane Barron Henry, 88, of Camden, will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, May 20, 2013 at Hammet Chapel at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with inurnment at Quaker Cemetery. Rev. Dr. William Summers will officiate. .

Olympic gymnast Luikin to make personal appearance

All Around Olympic Champion Nastia Luikin will be appearing at Wateree Gymnastics Center of Camden SC's Fit n' Fun Gymnastics Clinic and fund raising dinner on June 24. Competitive gymnasts of all levels are invited to attend the clinic, and the fund raiser dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m., is open to the public. The fund raiser dinner with Nastia Luikin is being held to help raise funds for gymnastics scholarships for needy children ...

Camden doctor sheds light on stuttering

The handsome young contestant strides onto the "American Idol" stage. The music swells, and Lazaro Arbos sings -- fluently, confidently. Thunderous applause and cheers follow. Then a judge on the popular TV show asks him a question. Lazaro opens his mouth emitting halting, repetitive sounds at first. In a few seconds, the spoken words come, but it's a struggle.

LeGrand Institute practices fire safety

Students at the LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology in Camden received a lesson on fire safety at a recent event at the campus. Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Gardner came out to the school and taught students how to use a fire extinguisher. Firefighters also started a fire and each student who wanted to participate got the opportunity to put the fire out as a way of practicing what they had learned. "It was a fun, ...

Local author publishes book about student success in the classroom

Books on Broad will host Jayne Bowers as she discusses and signs Eve's Sisters and Crossing the Bridge: Succeeding in a Community College and Beyond on Thursday, May 23, from 5 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.

Bobby Wilson, Sr.

A graveside service for Bobby Gene Wilson, Sr., of Elgin, SC will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Harmony Baptist Church, Elgin. Pastor Dan Griffin will officiate. Visitation will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made in Bobby's memory to VFW Post 11079, 2464 Bowen St., Elgin, SC 29045.

Ruby Murphy

Funeral Service for Ruby Murphy, 50, of 501 King Street in Camden will be held Monday, May 20, 2013, 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Black River Road) in Camden with burial in the Cedars cemetery. She died Tuesday, May 14. Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Deacon Marion Jenkins

Vera K. Cockrell

Elks Lodge recognizes 2013 Oustanding Young Students

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks designated the first week in May as Youth Week to honor America's Junior Citizens for their accomplishments.