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.

Former CHS standout to speak at Bulldog banquet

Crystal Johnson, a 2003 graduate of Camden High, who was a volleyball and basketball standout for the Lady Bulldogs during her high school career, will be the guest speaker at the Camden High School Athletic Banquet to be held on Tuesday, May 21, in the school gymnasium.

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

Deacon Marion Jenkins, 68, of Rembert, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 12, 2013. Born in Washington D.C., he was the son of the late Moses and Elease Griffen Jenkins and husband of Josephine Moore Jenkins. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, at Union Baptist Church, Rembert, with burial in the church cemetery. Deacon Jenkins will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. for ...

Vera K. Cockrell

Vera Kathryn "Kay" (Horton) Cockrell passed away, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at her home. Born Tuesday, October 14, 1924, in Bethune, Kershaw County, she was a daughter of the late Clyde and Florence (Barfield) Horton. Kay graduated high school in Bethune, and later attended Columbia Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1950. In her professional life she served as a Nursing Instructor and Supervisor. Kay was also a longtime member ...

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.

Fredericksburg Township explored

Our grand city of Camden is a beautifully preserved town laid out in an 18th century plan devised by Joseph Kershaw. We are proud of our historic homes and buildings, carefully placed public parks, wide streets, and beautiful trees. So it is easy to forget that this was not the original plan for the "town" that was to develop in this area of South Carolina. The original plan was a part of the "Township ...

What was the IRS thinking?

Well, this is a fine mess.

Hayes Creek Skateboarding Competition

There will be a skateboarding competition Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Hayes Creek Subdivision in Elgin. The event is sponsored by Salty's Board Shop in Columbia. The proceeds from the competition will go towards purchasing skateboarding gear for the park in an effort to keep kids off of drugs and keep them off of the streets.

Dog’s human mom experiences drama at local dog park

Dear Annie: I have an 8-month-old puppy, and I take her to a local dog park so she can run off leash and play with the other dogs, which she loves. In the three months I have been taking her, "Phoebe" has never been attacked or fought with another dog. That was until last night, when Phoebe approached another dog that was on a leash and that dog attacked her.

Ariail for May 17, 2013

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Ward Baker wed

Pamela Collins Gibson of Columbia, S.C. and Kevin Ward Baker of Lugoff, S.C. were married May 18, 2013 at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church in Camden, S.C. The 4 p.m. ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. James C. Adams. A reception immediately followed at Aberdeen.

Former Camdenite wins ‘Best In Show’

Former Camdenite Manda McKay's painting "Love You To Death" won "Best In Show" at Southworks 2013. The Oconee County Arts Foundation (OCAF) hosted the opening reception April 12 in Watkinsville, Georgia. McKay grew up in Camden and graduated from Camden High School.

May at the Library

Children's Programming:

Wife unsure of what to do about husband’s dementia

Dear Annie: I've been married to "Ned" for 25 years, and each year it seems to get worse. When we married, he told me I could do whatever I wanted with the house, but he never said I'd be the one paying.

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. .

The Lugoff-Elgin “Blue Monster”