SCPA Weekly Awards Presentation

Recognizing the best in
S.C. newspaper journalism
WEEKLY & ASSOCIATE
AWARDS LUNCHEON

THANK YOU SPONSORS!
WEB OFFSET PRINTING | MAILING | DIGITAL PRINTING
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors

Samuel A. Cothran
1915-2010
Hall
of
Fame
South Carolina
Press Association

REMEMBERING THOSE WE’VE LOST...
SEE PAGE 7 FOR FULL NECROLOGY
Phillip Jerue Babb
Rick Bacon
Mandy Criswell
Thomas Newton Harbin
Jimmie Haynes
Sue Garvin Howard
Dean B. Livingston
Anthony D. Morris
Add Penfield
Jack Ragsdale
Bunny S. Richardson
John Carter Shurr
Jessie T. Smith
Arthur Manigault Wilcox
Hal Zorn

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Open Division
SECOND PLACE:
Free Times
Porter Barron Jr.

TABLOID PAGE ONE DESIGN
PORTFOLIO
Open Division
THIRD PLACE:
The Fort Jackson Leader
Wallace McBride
★ COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS, PAGES 19, 32 ★ HAPPENINGS, PAGE 24 ★ AROUND POST, PAGE 33 ★ CHAPEL, PAGE 34 ★
★ APRIL IS
SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS
MONTH
— PAGES 3, 18
★ COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS, PAGES 10, 12, 13 ★ HAPPENINGS, PAGE 18 ★ HEALTH, PAGE 22 ★ FITNESS, PAGES 26-27★
PAGE 3
★ HONOR PLATOON
PRESENTS DAILY
‘NO FAIL’ MISSIONS
— PAGE 8
FORT JACKSON NATURALIZATION PROGRAM
PROVIDES PATH FOR GAINING CITIZENSHIP
NEW SOLDIERS,
NEW AMERICANS
★ COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS, PAGES 12-13 ★ HAPPENINGS, PAGE 19 ★ HEALTH, PAGE 25 ★ CHAPEL, PAGE 27 ★
ARMY MARKS 50TH
ANNIVERSARY OF DRILL SERGEANT SCHOOL
ON THE TRAIL
SCHOOL INDUCTS FIRST
HALL OF FAME MEMBERS
PAGE 3
TRADOC NAMES DRILL,
PLATOON SERGEANTS OF 2014
PAGE 8
COMMANDANT REFLECTS
ON SCHOOL’S ANNIVERSARY
PAGE 9

PORTFOLIO
Open Division
SECOND PLACE:
Charleston City Paper
Scott Suchy
,2014charlestoncitypaper.com
T H E R A V E N E L B R I D G E I S C U R S E D | FREE
BEN TILLMAN WAS A RACIST,
TERRORIST, AND MURDERER.
IT’S TIME TO REMOVE HIS
STATUE FROM THE
STATEHOUSE GROUNDS.
Page 18
ScottSuchyphotoillustration;Columbia,S.C.photographybySeanRayford
Cool Teachers
Cary Ann and Darius
school CofC students on
music biz basics p.48
Feeling Saucy
Prohibition serves up
more than just fine
cocktails p.34
JonathanBoncek
M O T H E R N AT U R E I S O F F H E R M E D S | FREE
PAGE 22
This is Jessie. You’re not going to
believe what she does for a living.
WARNING
Adult Content
The CP ’s brief
and biased
guide to
YALLFest
Robert Moss
talks about
the perils of
small-scale,
sustainable
farming
The CP ’s brief
and biased
guide to
YALLFest
Robert Moss
talks about
the perils of
small-scale,
sustainable
farming
ScottSuchyphotoillustration
GOOD PAIRINGS: Emmylou Harris has a thing for collaborations p.56BOWLED OVER: Super Bowl eats and drinks around town p.54

PORTFOLIO
Open Division
FIRST PLACE:
Daniel Island News
Jan Marvin
843.471.2064
843.478.7875 (cell)
reneereinert@gmail.com
135PierView#302 1411 Elfe Street
U
N
D
ER
CO
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TRACT
Renee Reinert
IRON GATE REALTY’S FEATURED LISTINGS OF THE WEEK
FOR RENT
2 Pagett, Daniel Island Park
FO
R
R
E
N
T
SO
LD
CONDO WEEK!
Let one of our agents show you Daniel Island
on a 20 minute tour. Need to see more? View
inside current condos, townhomes and homes
currently for sale! Call for your appointment!
843 478-7875 or 843 471-2064
INSIDE
this issue
See page 33
The
10 YEARS
FAMILY CIRCLE CUPFAMILY CIRCLE CUP
PREVIEW
EDITION
pgs.
15-24
Annexation to
cost more!
02
07
Exchange Club
26
Black Belt
FREE
FREEFREE
Sept. 25 - Oct. 1, 2014
The
IRON GATE REALTY’S FEATURED LISTINGS OF THE WEEK
14 Pagett St..........................$1,180,000
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1183 Fort Lamar ...........$1,300,000
Private dock. James Island.
250 Furman Farm Dr.......$725,000 2876 Rivertowne Parkway
843.471.2064
843.478.7875 (cell)
reneereinert@gmail.comRenee Reinert
28 Pagett......................$1,285,000
U
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TRACT
SO
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The
10 YEARS
Page 5
Close encounter with gator
07
Buddy Walk
20
and much more!
March of Dimes
14-15
DR
IVE-THRU COFFEES
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Annexation
Commission meets
DINA seeks to grow
School News
The
10 YEARS
& much more!
See page 19
Home
Edition
&
Garden
P. 12-15
Resident owned construction businesses
start, grow and blossom through the recession

CARTOON
Open Division
SECOND PLACE:
Myrtle Beach Herald
Ed Wilson

SPORTS MAGAZINE
Open Division
HONORABLE MENTION:
Chronicle-Independent
Staff
Winter
Edition
HOPE COOPER
Camden’s First Lady
of
Horses, History and Hospitality

DIGITAL NEWS PROJECT
Open Division
FIRST PLACE:
Carolina Forest Chronicle
Michael Smith

ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER/
PUBLICATION
Associate/Individual Division
THIRD PLACE:
Charleston Regional
Business Journal
Beverly Barfield and
Chris McCandlish

PUBLICATION
SECOND PLACE:
S.C. United Methodist Advocate
Jessica Brodie and
Matt Brodie

PUBLICATION
FIRST PLACE:
Charleston Regional
Business Journal
Staff

EVENT MARKETING
SECOND PLACE:
S.C. Farm Bureau Federation
Bill Johns
For The State
For SC Farmer
This event is a fund-raiser for the Friends of Farm Bureau Political Action Committee.
Once again, we’re matching SC’s best chefs with the best locally grown food for SC’s best evening of food and fun!
July 24, 2014 • 6:00 – 9:00 pm • 701 Whaley Street, Columbia SC
For tickets, call 803.936.4215 or visit www.SCFB.org
For the FREE TIMES Green issue earlier in the year.
Mark Your Calendars
G O L O C A L . B U Y L O C A L . D I N E L O C A L .
Once again, we’re matching South Carolina’s
best chefs with the very best locally grown food
for an unbelievable evening of food and fun!
July 24, 2014 • 6:00 – 9:00 pm
701 Whaley Street, Columbia SC
24 25
22
This event is a fund-raiser for the Friends of Farm Bureau Political Action Committee.

EVENT MARKETING
FIRST PLACE:
Charleston Regional Business Journal
Jane Mattingly

PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM
FIRST PLACE:
S.C. Farm Bureau Federation
Bill Johns
SC Farm Bureau Federation
Prescription Savings Card
Bin# 009265
PCN# AG
Group# SCFB
ID# SCFB23202
Name: _________________________________________
Pharmacy
Help Desk:
1-800-847-7147
THIS IS NOT INSURANCE - DISCOUNTS ONLY
By using this card, the holder agrees to the terms under
which it was issued. Void where prohibited. Process all
prescriptions electronically.
Choice Hotel Special Rate ID #00209800
www.choicehotels.com • 800.258.2847
Money
SavingIdeas
WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP
Farm Bureau Special Discount ID Number: 1000000510
www.wyndhamrewards.com • 877.670.7088
Benefits subject
to change without notice.
For details, go to www.scfb.org
merchandise
SC Farm Bureau Products Program
www.SCFBproducts.com or call (803) 822-8636 or (800) 849-3778
Grainger Industrial Supply
FB Account #802160051
www.grainger.com or call (800) 323-0620 to find a store near you
Staples Business Advantage
Go to www.scfb.org, click on Member Benefits, then Merchandise
financial
SC Farm Bureau Insurance Services
Call your County Farm Bureau or (800) 799--7500
Farm Bureau Bank
www.farmbureaubank.com or call (800) 492-FARM (492-3276)
eLegacyConnect
go to www.SCFB.org, click on Member Benefits then Financial Services
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit
Call your County Farm Bureau
transportation & travel
Chevrolet, Buick & GMC
Call your County Farm Bureau or go to www.SCFB.org
Avis
www.avis.com or 1-800-331-1212 (savings code: A298840)
Farm Bureau Auto Buying Program
www.fbverify.com/drive
Choice Hotels
Go to www.choicehotels.com.Click on “Select Rate,” then click on
“Special Rate/Corp ID,” and enter the SCFB account number 00209800.
or call (800) 258-2847.
Wyndham Hotels
Call (877) 670-7088 and use discount ID number 1000000510 or
go to www.wyndhamhotelgroup.com
on the
farm
Natural Resource
Services
Call (803) 360-3954
Polaris
Call your County Farm Bureau
or go to www.SCFB.org
Case IH
Go to www.SCFB.org.
Click on Member Benefits,
then On the Farm
or call your county office
home & family
Palmetto Alarm
www.palmettoalarm.com or call (803) 996-3200
AmeriGas
www.amerigas.com or call (866) 767-1100
health care
Agelity Discount
Prescription Drug Plan
Go to www.SCFB.com, click on Member Benefits, then Health Care
QualSight Lasik Surgery
www.qualsight.com/-SCFB or call (866) 979-9212
ClearValue Hearing
(888) 497-7447 or visit www.clearvaluehearing.com
LifeStation Medical Alert System
(877) 288-4958 any time or visit www.membersmedicalalert.com
Use code FB103
LifeLine Screening
(888) 787-2873 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/scfb
member benefits ad 0814.qxp_Layout 1 11/28/14 12:31 PM Page 1
H O T E L S
Members save on standard rates at participating CHOICE HOTELS®
locations worldwide. The discounts are available only by making reserva-
tions in advance by booking online at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling
(800) 258-2847. To start saving, follow these easy steps:
1) Visit ChoiceHotels.com and click on “Select Rate” on the top tool bar,
then click on “Special Rate/Corp ID”
2) Enter the SCFB Special Rate ID (00209800) in the assigned field
3) Click “yes” to confirm you are a member and then click “Find Hotel” to
make your reservation!
Choice Privileges® members: make sure you sign in so you can earn
points while you save. If you choose to make your reservation by phone,
be sure to give the agent both the SCFB Special Rate ID (00209800) and
your personal Choice Privileges number.
Save up to 20% off the “best available rate”* at any participating property
within the Wyndham Hotel Group brands. Call the member benefits
hotline (877) 670-7088 and give the agent the SC special discount ID
1000000510 at the time of booking to receive your discount. You can also
make your reservation online by going to www.wyndhamhotelgroup.com,
In the booking widget, click “Special Rates and Codes”. Here enter the
above code into the Corporate Code field and click enter. Fill in your
destination information and then click Find It. Your discount will be pro-
vided at time of booking.
F O R T H E H O M E & FA M I LY
PALMETTO ALARM offers SC Farm Bureau
members special rates on home security
systems. Get a new land-line based system or
transfer your present system’s monitoring for
only $24.95 a month or get a new cell-phone
based system for only $39.95 a month. Plus
you’ll receive no-cost installation on new
systems which include fire protection, remote
control, & lifetime warranty.
Call (803) 996-3200 or visit www.palmettoalarm.com
for more information.
* “Best Available Rate” is defined as the best, non-qualified, unrestricted, pub-
licly available rate on the brand sites for the hotel, date and accommodations
requested. The discount for some properties may be less than 20% off Best
Available Rate. Certain restrictions may apply. To redeem this offer, click our
URL link on Organization’s website or call the phone number listed and give ID
at the time of reservation. Offer not valid if hotel is called directly, caller must
use toll free numbers listed above. Advanced reservations are required. Offer
is subject to availability at participating locations and some blackout dates may
apply. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts, offers, group rates,
or special promotions. Discounted rates vary by location and time of year.
Offer is void where prohibited by law and has no cash value. Planet Hollywood
is not a current participant in the member benefit program.
**Offer valid for new subscribers only. Toll free number above must be used to
receive discount
***Free standard installation valid on Lease option only. Cost of equipment is
additional.
**** See terms and conditions at farmbureaubank.com. Banking services pro-
vided by Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau, FB and the FB National logo
are registered service marks owned by, and used by Farm Bureau Bank FSB
under license from, the American Farm Bureau Federation.
All member benefits subject to change without notice.
.
Choice Hotel Special Rate ID #00209800
www.choicehotels.com • 800.258.2847
WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP
Farm Bureau Special Discount ID Number: 1000000510
www.wyndhamhotelgroup.com • 877.670.7088
Go to www.scfb.org for the latest
SC Farm Bureau Member Benefits updates.
M O N E Y S A V I N G I D E A S
M E M B E R
B E N E F I T S
G U I D E
memberbenefits2014_TC9990101-LAYOUT-MQ1.qxd 4/24/14 1:07 PM Page 1
M E R C H A N D I S E D I S C O U N T S
Save 15-40% off catalog
list prices on office
supplies and furnishings
when you order online.
And get FREE SHIPPING for orders over $30.
You must register, order, and pay online. This
program does not apply to store locations. Items
must be shipped directly to members.
Register online at www.scfb.org. Click on Member
Benefits, then Merchandise. It may take a few days
to activate your registration. You won’t be able to
log in to StaplesLink.com until you get an email
confirming your registration (a few days after
submitting the form).
• 10% off all Grainger catalog items
• 35% off farm-duty motors
• up to 55% off MSRP* on Proto hand tools
• up to 48% off MSRP* on DeWalt tools
• up to 45% off MSRP* on Blackhawk tools
• up to 46% off MSRP* on Milwaukee tools
• up to 52% off MSRP* on Stanley hand tools
• up to 60% off MSRP* on Westward tools
• FREE SHIPPING on all internet orders
• SAME DAY SHIPPING on most catalog items
Get your discount by calling Grainger at
(800) 323-0620, www.grainger.com or stopping by
your local Grainger store. You must provide your
SC Farm Bureau Grainger account number
(802160051).
* Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
H E A LT H C A R E / E N V I R O N M E N TA L
• FREE prescription drug discount card
accepted at over 57,000 pharmacies
• Good for both name-brand
& generic drugs
Cut out the card on the right of this brochure and take it to a participating
pharmacy. Ask them to enter the info into their electronic billing system.
The card is NOT an insurance benefit and will not offer additional savings on
pharmacy discounts offered through insurance plans. To find a local pharmacy or
learn more go to www.scfb.org, click on Member Benefits, then Health Care.
Estimated Cost is $945/eye for Traditional and
$1380/eye for Custom LASIK giving a savings of
40% to 50% off the national average.
• Access – Over 700 locations
• Convenience – Online appointment scheduling
• Experience – 3.5 million procedures performed
• Financing – Flexible options with payments as low as $54 a month
Call QualSight at (866) 979-9212 or visit www.qualsight.com/-SCFB
An emergency medical alert system
provides security, peace of mind
and independence for the ones you love.
• Only $25.95 per month ($4.00 per month discount)
• 30 day money back trial • No long-term contracts
• Cancel anytime with no penalty • Free shipping
Call (877) 288-4958 any time or visit www.membersmedicalalert.com
Take advantage of the Clear Value Comprehensive Hearing Benefits for
Farm Bureau members and their families.
• Free hearing aid assessment & consultation
• Up to 60% Off MSRP on all Starkey Hearing
Instruments (Starkey, Audibel, NuEar,
AudioSync & MicroTech
• 60 day trial
• Free batteries (1 case per instrument
with purchase)
Call (888) 497-7447 or visit www.clearvaluehearing.com
F I N A N C I A L S E RV I C E S
An ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT is included with
each Farm Bureau membership at no extra cost.
The benefit is provided under a policy issued to the
county Farm Bureau by South Carolina Farm
Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, and it provides
coverage in the amount of $1000 on member and
spouse and $500 on each dependent child under 21
residing in the household. Membership dues must
be paid on or before the due date. Please contact
your county Farm Bureau office to make a claim.
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE®
agents offer an extensive
line of insurance products,
including Auto, Home, Life,
Health and Farm Property.
Retirement planning and annu-
ities are also available. Our Customer Service Call
Center is available 24/7 to offer friendly, convenient
service. And our six conveniently located Claims
Service Centers help resolve your claims quickly
and fairly.
(800) 799-7500 or www.scfbins.com
FARM BUREAU
BANK****
offers the
personlized service
you want with the
secure banking products you need, including:
• Checking & money market accounts
• Consumer & business credit cards
• Vehicle & recreational loans
• Farm equipment loans
• Health savings accounts (HSAs)
• Traditional & Roth IRAs
• Residential mortgage loans
Let us help with your financial goals! See your Farm
Bureau agent, or contact Farm Bureau Bank today.
(800) 492-FARM or www.farmbureaubank.com
SAVE 25%! With eLegacyConnect you control
your succession plan, save lots of money, and get the
results you want. eLegacyConnect provides an
action plan, advice from planning experts, and a
library of resources to help you pass the family farm
to the next generation. The site offers succession
planning resources that generate results and a full
complement of professional advisors to answer your
questions and share best practices. Get started
today.
· South Carolina Farm Bureau members may access
eLegacyConnect via the Farm Bureau Member
Advantage! page, or go directly to eLegacyConnect,
and enter the Membership Code: farmbureau.
· Have your Farm Bureau Membership ID number
available.
· Membership (less 25% Farm Bureau discount) is
only $180/annually, or $18.71/monthly. Your mem-
bership begins after the 14-day free trial, and you
may cancel at any time.
$500 Off Your Next
GM Vehicle
SC Farm Bureau
members can get a
$500 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new Chevrolet,
Buick and GMC vehicles. This offer can be stacked with one other private
offer available to eligible Farm Bureau members. Only customers who have
been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 30 days
will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at
www.fbverify.com/gm Go to www.SCFB.org, Call your county Farm
Bureau office or visit your local GM dealer for details.
SCFB members now have a better way to buy a new or
used vehicle through the Farm Bureau Auto Buying
Program. It’s easy to use and members have saved an
average of $3,078 off MSRP.* The best part? A $500 GM
incentive for Farm Bureau members is already built into the
system for qualifying vehicles. Get started at
www.fbverify.com/drive. *See site for details.
Get your member discount
from Life Line Screening.
Our mission is to help make
people aware of unrecog-
nized health problems and encourage them to seek follow-up care with their
personal physician. In about an hour, you can be screened with painless,
non-invasive ultrasound technology for stroke, aneurysms and heart disease.
To find a screening site nearest you, call (888) 787-2873 or visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/scfb
NATURAL RESOURCE SERVICES, LLC
Save 20% on environmental and regulatory assistance with:
• State agricultural permits • Manure broker permits
• Permit modifications • Transfer of ownership
• On-farm assessments • Construction storm water permits
• Computerized mapping • Hunting/fishing lease agreements
• Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) plans
Call (803) 360-3954 or e-mail womcmeekin@gmail.com Use code FB103
SC Farm Bureau Federation
Prescription Savings Card
Bin# 009265
PCN# AG
Group# SCFB
ID# SCFB23202
Name: _________________________________________
Pharmacy
Help Desk:
1-800-847-7147
(pharmacist
only)
THIS IS NOT INSURANCE - DISCOUNTS ONLY
By using this card, the holder agrees to the terms
under which it was issued. Void where prohibited.
Process all prescriptions electronically.
For your next rental, save up to
25% when you mention
AVIS Worldwide Discount (AWD)
#A298840. For reservations,
call AVIS at (800) 331-1212, or visit
www.avis.com/scfb.
AMERIGAS, the nation’s leading marketer of
propane, offers SC Farm Bureau members a 5
cent per gallon discount* on propane deliveries
plus free installation of above ground
cylinders/tanks (excluding pump stations).
Members also receive a free complete system
check and flexible billing and payment options.
To receive your discount, provide your local
AmeriGas supplier with your Farm Bureau
membership number and set up your account
today! To find your nearest AmeriGas location,
call (866) 767-1100 or visit www.amerigas.com.
* Prepaid or price guaranteed programs are not eligible
for discount.
T R A N S P O RTATION
O N T H E FA R M
THE FARM BUREAU PRODUCTS PROGRAM saves you money on:
• Passenger, pickup, medium truck & tractor tires
• Batteries & lubricants
• Baling twines, net wraps & tillage tools
• Disc harrow blades, bearings & roller chains
• Cutting parts for hay equipment or combines
• Agricultural pumps
For more information, or to place an order, call
(800) 849-3778. Or browse all our products at www.scfbproducts.com.
Open 8:00-5:00, Monday through Friday.
CASE IH provides a manufacturer’s incentive
discount of $300–$500 for Farm Bureau
members on the tractor or implement acquired.
Members should negotiate their best deal with
their preferred dealer and then add the incentive discount to the bottom line.
There is no limit to the number of incentive discounts that a Farm Bureau member
may use so long as it’s not more than one per unit acquired and the acquisiton(s)
is/are made for their personal and/or their business use. Membership in Farm
Bureau must be current and must be verified using the American Farm Bureau
Membership Verification System (MVS). Eligible members will print an authoriza-
tion certificate that must be presented to the Case-IH dealer IN ADVANCE of the
delivery of the acquired tractor or implement to receive the incentive discount.
For more information visit, www.SCFB.org
Auto Buying
Program
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FOOD WRITING
AllWeekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
The Lancaster News
Erin Kirby
See SAMBO’S I Page 9A
“I was the only employee to get a
whuppin’ and then be back out on
the floor takin’ orders.”
– Cecil Faile
celebrates 45
years with
regional honor
Erin Kirby
ekirby@thelancasternews.com
All the world’s problems could be
solved in the small back room tucked
away behind the counter at Sambo’s 903
Diner and Drive-In on Flat Creek Road.
Steeped in the sound of crackling grease,
nobody is a stranger here for long.
For 45 years, local residents have cele-
brated anniversaries, proposals and
birthdays – one woman even went into
labor – over roast pork sandwiches and
hand-cut french fries with Sambo Faile
behind the cash register.
Recently recognized as one of the best
places in the South to eat a hamburger by
Garden and Gun magazine’s readers,
Sambo attributes the restaurant’s success
and notoriety to a commitment to good
service and good food.
“We still make food the old-timey way.
We cut the french fries out of real pota-
toes and make the hamburgers by hand.
I’ve been using the same grill for 25
years,” Faile said.
Now that grill is seasoned with years of
quality food and ingredients. Not to men-
tion drinks poured over chewy ice.
The good food is also thanks to the
restaurant’s seasoned staff. Most of the
cooks have more than 20 years of service
under their aprons, said Faile, and after
watching them grow up and have chil-
dren, he considers them family.
His son, Cecil Faile, agreed.
“Everybody starts carhopping when
they’re young and then, about 10 years
later, they’re working in the back,” he
said.
Cecil himself was only 7 years old when
Sambo bought the restaurant from his
brother, Williford Faile, on Aug. 1, 1969.
Williford left the restaurant business to
join the sheriff’s office and was eventually
elected sheriff. Cecil remembers standing
on drink crates just to be tall enough to
take drive-in orders.
“I was the only employee to get a wh-
uppin’ and then be back out on the floor
takin’ orders. Everybody else could get
fired, but the boss was my ride home. I
never left early and always had to be on
time,” Cecil remembers, with a laugh.
One of the restaurant’s most memora-
ble cooks, the late Earl Deese, even had a
burger named after him after he died.
The Earl Burger is a double cheeseburger
with everything on it – chili, slaw, mus-
tard and onions.
The relationship between Sambo and
his customers is due to much more than
exceptional customer service. In an era
when chain restaurants dot every corner,
Best Burgers
Southin
the
Lancaster: 45 years ago
Here is a little glimpse at what was happen-
ing around Lancaster around Aug. 1, 1969,
when Sambo Faile took over the former 903
Drive-In, now Sambo’s 903 Diner and Drive-In:
Last-minute touches were underway on
the new $1.5 million Andrew Jackson High
School, which was scheduled to open Aug. 25.
Apollo astronaut Charles Duke and his
family flew into Coulson Field to spend a little
vacation time with his parents here and at
Myrtle Beach.
Johnnie Hinson was named the top
sergeant major in the state by the S.C. National
Guard.
Springs Mills announced it would con-
vert the Gayle Plant in Chester to pillowcase
productions and cut about 225 jobs. Springs
also announced that WBTV anchorman Doug
Mayes would emcee the upcoming 25-Year
Club meeting at Springs Park on Sept. 1.
Lynn Leaphart was awarded an all-ex-
pense paid trip to the S.C. 4-H Electric Confer-
ence for her outstanding achievement.
The 18-2 Lions topped the Shrine twice
to win the local Dixie Youth Little League base-
ball crown. Team members included Phil Pow-
ell, Jeff Hammond, Chris Hilton, Randy Jordan,
Jim Richards, Ricky Roney, Allen Griffin, Johnny
Boling, Mark Robertson, Mike Threatt, Phil
Mahaffey, Jim Hodges, David Manus, Bobby
Carter and Johnny Stroud. Team coaches were
Grady Robertson and James Stroud.
– Compiled by Gregory A. Summers
photo above courtesy of CECIL FAILE; photo below by ERIN KIRBY/ekirby@thelancasternews.com
Above, Bubby Cudd works the grill at Sambo’s 903 Diner and Drive-In
on Flat Creek Road. Below, Sambo Faile serves up a club sandwich
to go at Sambo’s, recently chosen as one of the
best burger places in the South.

FOOD WRITING
AllWeekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
Greenville Journal
Sherry Jackson
18 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL October 10, 2014
Carrying on the family tradition
of serving home-cooked Italian food,
Tina Berardinelli Cody, her husband,
Matt Cody, and cousin Denice Kelly
are preparing family recipes and
delivering them to customers in their
new “take and bake” concept business
in Greenville.
Dishes are homemade at Susie
and Ed’s Italian Kitchen and pre-
pared with fresh ingredients from
scratch. The meals arrive uncooked
so customers can either bake for
dinner right away or freeze for later.
Most dishes feed a family of four to
six people, but other sizes can be
made. Entrées comes with a loaf of
Italian bread.
The business is named after Tina’s
grandparents, Susie Capri and
Edward Berardinelli, who in 1952
arrived in Greenville to assist with a
family business called Capri’s, located
on West Washington Street down-
town. This is where their son Norman
(and Tina’s father) learned the
business from his parents as a young
teenager, said Tina Cody.
The former Greenville Italian
restaurant had “quite the following,”
she said, and was considered a
Greenville tradition by many. Also,
in the late ’40s Julius “Cap” Capri,
Susie’s brother, “introduced pizza to
Greenville,” she said.
In 1959, Susie and Ed opened
another Capri’s location in Clemson,
and in the early ’70s, son Norman
operated the Augusta Road location
with his cousin for more than
20 years.
Over the years, Capri’s slowly faded
away as family members aged or
moved away. The last Capri’s in
Greenville onWoodruff Road closed
in 2013, and the Capri’s building on
Stone Avenue has been for sale for
several years.
Susie and Ed’s Italian Kitchen is
“a legacy business,” said Matt
“Andiamo a
Mangiare” is Susie
and Ed’s Italian
Kitchen’s motto. It means
“Let’s Eat” in Italian.
>>
SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
sjackson@communityjournals.com
FAMILY TIES
The next generation of family businesses
“Let’s eat,” says the next
generation of the family
that started Capri’s
Restaurants, bringing
home-cooked Italian
food right into
Upstate homes
Andia
mo a Man
giare
Edward Berardinelli and Susan Capri Berardinelli
PhotoProvided

FOOD WRITING
AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
The News & Reporter
Brian Garner
BY BRIAN GARNER
bgarner@onlinechester.com
Blue Oyster Cult said it best.
Seasons don’t fear the Reaper,
Nor do the wind, the sun or the
rain,
(We can be like they are)
Ed Currie of Rock Hill doesn’t fear
the pepper he calls The Carolina
Reaper. In fact, he developed it.
Currie’s pepper was recently named
by the Guinness Book of World
Records as the hottest pepper in the
world.
Currie grows the pepper in loca-
tions in York and Chester Counties
and has stores that sell products that
are made from the pepper in Fort
Mill and at the 7th Street Market in
Charlotte.
Currie said he and his partners
tried out several names before set-
ting on the dangerous-sounding
name of The Carolina Reaper.
The name isn’t the only thing
that’s dangerous. The pepper mea-
sures 1.56 million Scoville heat
units.
“One point five-six million, almost
one point six million,” Currie points
out.
The Scoville heat unit scale is
used to determine how many doses of
sugared water it takes to negate the
heat and burn of the pepper, Currie
explained.
Effectively, a person would have
to take 1.56 million doses of the sugar
water to put out the burn from the
Carolina Reaper.
Currie created the Reaper about
11 years ago by cross-breeding other
pepper varieties using a method that
BY BRIAN GARNER/THE N&R
In a greenhouse in Rock Hill, Ed Currie looks over the next crop of Carolina Reaper peppers. Inset, top left:
This small pepper has been measured at an average of 1.56 million Scoville heat units and is the world’s
hottest pepper.
Don’t fear the (Carolina) Reaper
t
C
m
b
C
A
C
f
t
t
o
m
C
s
t
t
a
o
9
c
c
a
p
See PEPPER, Page 2-A

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
WRITING
AllWeekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
Daniel Island News
Jennifer Johnston
JENNIFER JOHNSTON
jennifer@thedanielislandnews.com
On any given Saturday morning, you can
walk into the Peace Love Hip Hop (PLHH)
dance studio and feel inspired by the uninhib-
ited fun that is taking place there by a diverse
group of dancers. And that exact emotion is
kind of how it all started.
It was several hundred miles away, at a
2013 dance competition in Ohio, where an
unfamiliar group of young muses stirred
PLHH owner Angel Roberts’ soul to the point
of almost immediate mobilization. She was a
member of the audience watching a group of
kids with Down syndrome perform a number
to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”
“It was just so awesome,” Roberts recalls.
“I thought, ‘why am I not doing this? Why am
I not reaching out more to this community?’”
PLHH had been a mainstay performer at the
annual Down Syndrome Association of the
Lowcountry Buddy Walk, and her dance pro-
gram had a presence through those buddies’
siblings. There had even been special needs
kids who had integrated into the weekday
unsure of their “place” within this energetic,
purposeful environment.
When she returned home, Roberts an-
nounced that she would begin offering a dance
class for special needs kids and their friends,
old and new. The class would take place
Saturday mornings under the name Rock Stars
of Hip Hop. “I just felt that it was a really ap-
propriate name for them, because that’s how I
think of them,” Roberts shares. “And I thought
they would like that as well.”
Though there’s no question who the real
Rock Stars are, everyone is invited to partici-
pate. Beyond the superfun steps and irresist-
ible music mixes, Roberts says that what truly
makes this concept work is the participation of
the young dancers who take her recreational
and competitive classes. “It’s a mixture, so no
one feels like it’s one kind of class or another,”
Roberts explains. “My weekday dance kids
inspire the Rock Stars, and vice versa.” She
says the dancers from her other classes were
a little apprehensive coming to the Rock Stars
Saturday morning dancers as another part of
their crew.
Ella King, a fourth grader at Daniel Island
School who has Down syndrome, comes
every week. Some days, it’s a stretch, as she
has recreational basketball just before Rock
Stars. But once the music starts pumping, Ella
gets recharged. When asked who her favorite
singer is, she replies without hesitation, “Tay-
The Rock Stars you may not know about, but should
JENNIFER JOHNSTON
Dancer Ella King gets silly with instructor Allyson Salvucci.
ARTS thedanielislandnews.com22 The Daniel Island News March 20 - 26, 2014
This dance floor is
for everyone
See ROCK STARS on PAGE 23

WRITING
AllWeekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
Greenville Journal
Cindy Landrum
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New Conestee park
will go to the dogs
PAGE 18
Supporters,
protesters sound off
on roads referendum
PAGE 17
GHS announces
Spartanburg,
Anderson expansion
PAGE 22
NEW RULE COULD CUT
RED TAPE FOR SPOUSES
OF INTERNATIONAL
WORKERS
FOR HOME DELIVERY
CALL 864.679.1200
READ ONLINE AT
GREENVILLE
JOURNAL.COM
$1.00
CITY COUNCIL VOTE BRINGS PROPERTY TAX HIKE NEARER SEE PAGE 7
Inspired by a
Journal article,
the Writers Block
program helps
prisoners turn their
reality into art
PAGE 8
GREG BECKNER / STAFF
Freedom
WRITERS
GREENVILLEJOURNAL

WRITING
AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
The Voice of Blythewood
and Fairfield County
Ashley Ghere
Takiya Rocks the Runway
Named Top ModelAshley Ghere
Contributor
May 30, 2014 • • 7
Holding up her trophy, Takiya ac-
knowledges her adoring fans.
Takiya Willingham won the Rockin’
the Runway award for ‘best model’ at
the Runaway Runway Show on April 5 at
the Township Auditorium – but she isn’t
just your average toast-of-Columbia su-
permodel. For one thing, she designs her
own runway couture.
Foranother,she’sjust12yearsold.
Willingham is a sixth-grader at the Fair-
-
ence and a student in Kimi Daly’s art class.
Daly, who was recently named the school’s
TeacheroftheYear,recognizedWillingham’s
interest in designing a project for the show
and encouraged her. She said that Willing-
ham’s meteoric rise to fashion fame came
only after months of toiling away on a dress
thatstartedoutas,well,apileoftrash.
Runaway Runway is an elaborate annual
fashionshowproducedbytheColumbiaDe-
-
must be created from used materials that
“It’s a show that combines fash-
ion, fun, creativity and environmental
awareness,” Daly said.
Willingham learned about the potential
of recycled fashion when Daly showed the
class two recycled dresses that were mod-
eled at Runaway Runway competitions
by her daughter, Tagan, who attends high
school in Chapin. The students in Daly’s
class were inspired and wanted to make
-
plained that it would take a lot of work, and
wouldhavetobeasideproject.Willingham
was clearly up for the challenge to design
and create, and it wasn’t long before she
decided to take it to the runway. Her cre-
ative vision was sparked while helping her
grandmother clean out her house. There,
Willingham discovered a bunch of old VHS
tapes and magazines destined for the trash
heap.
“I thought they would make nice materi-
als,” she said, “so I brought them to the art
room at school. I broke open the videos,
pulled all the tapes out and tore out my fa-
voritepagesfromthemagazines.”
“Ilookedaroundatthisbigmess,”Dalyre-
called with a laugh, “and I said, Takiya, what
areyouplanningtodowithallthis!?Andshe
said,‘I’mgoingtomakeaskirt.’”
howtolayerthestripsofvideotape.Firstshe
triedtapingthemtogether,atediousprocess
that took two months of after-school time.
But when she put the skirt on and wore it
downthehall,itfellapart.
“Then she tried hot glue and duct tape,”
Dalysaid.“Itwasanordeal!”
So it was a stroke of luck when Lois Rob-
inson, a classmate’s grandmother, stopped
by the art room one afternoon and noticed
Willingham’sfrustration.
“Lois said, ‘let me show you how to sew,
honey,’” Daly said, “and she taught Takiya
somestitches.”
“Sewing was easy,” Willingham said, “ex-
After sewing the skirt, she wove together
contrastingstripsofmagazinepagestoform
a bodice. Then she combined both parts to
completely cover a $5 Goodwill dress that
functioned as the underlying structure – a
designoptionallowedinthecompetition.
Normally quite shy, Willingham said she
started getting nervous as the date of the
competition grew near. A practice runway
walk was organized during a school assem-
bly, but Daly said Willingham had some dif-
ofwalkingandturning.
“She tripped a few times,” Daly said, “and
she was so shy as she walked – just pressed
her arms against her body. But she still
wantedtodothecompetition.”
Soonitwastimetozipupthegarmentbag
andheadtoColumbia.
“Iwasverynervous,”recalledWillingham.
“But everyone at the show was nice and re-
ally helpful. I loved being in the dressing
room with the models and makeup mirrors
andotherartists.”
with her,” Daly said, “and all the older mod-
els were fussing over Takiya and just loved
her!Shehadhermakeupandhairdone,and
reallygotintothewholeexperience.
“But we were still worried about how to
getheraroundthatrunway!”Dalysaidwith
a nervous laugh. Eventually, the team came
up with a plan – while Willingham hadn’t
mastered smooth catwalk turns, she did
like to dance. So that’s what she would do.
Justbeforeshewentonstage,Willingham
caughtaglimpseofherselfinamirror.
“Icouldn’tstopsmiling,”shesaid.“Iwasso
excited. But then I walked out on stage, and
I was shocked to see all those people in the
audiencelookingatme!”
DalysaidthatdespiteWillingham’sinitial
stagefright,sheblossomedinthelimelight.
“Takiya began, literally, dancing her way
around the runway and had a great time,”
Dalysaid.“Andthecrowdjustwentbananas
forher.Theyknewshewasn’tjustthemodel,
but had also designed and made her own
dress, and she was adorable. She took three
turns around the runway – and by the third
timearound,shewasrockin’!”
Willingham said that when she heard her
nameannouncedaswinnerofthemodeling
award,shecouldhardlybelieveit.
“I looked around,” she said, “and asked,
‘aretheytalkingaboutme?’”
The event was televised, and the evening
andinterviews.
“She was truly the star!” Daly said. “Win-
-
dence she’s gained has helped her in her
otherclassesatschool,too,topersevereand
workhard.”
Does she plan to do more modeling and
designinginthefuture?
with a big grin and an eye to the trash
can. “I love it.”
After finding it difficult to make gliding catwalk turns, Takiya decided to dance
her way around the runway to the delight of the audience – and the judges.
After being named top model, Takiya
posed with her art teacher, Kimi Daly.

2014 ELECTION/
POLITICAL COVERAGE
AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
The Lancaster News
Staff
NewsThe
Lancaster
www.thelancasternews.com
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014Two sections/14 pages 75 CENTS
Barbara Carter
Melvin Champion
Billy Crenshaw
Michael Crockett
Evelyn Gamble
Roy Lea
Willie McGriff
Grace Patterson
Madeline Spera
Linda Threatt
Emily Waits
Deaths, 4A
162nd year, No. 131
Two sections
20 pages
Subscriber services
(803) 283-1145
Index
Church News ...............4B, 5B
Classifieds ............................6B
Coming Events ....................3B
Entertainment .....................4B
Looking @ Lancaster ........1B
Opinion .............................10A
Sports ...................................7A
Sports Sidelines .................9A
Staff reports
Sunday morning is
the time change,
when we fall back one
hour and daylight
saving time ends.
Make sure to set
your clocks back one
hour before you go
to bed Saturday night
to avoid being one
hour early for every-
thing on Sunday.
It’s also a great
time to change
smoke detector bat-
teries and check to
make sure the device
is properly working,
said Lancaster Fire
Department Chief
Chuck Small.
“Change your clock
and change your
(smoke detector) bat-
tery,” Small said.
Remember
to ‘fall back’
PHOTO SUPPLIED
K.D. Wright is right
on in Bruins’ rushing
attack. Sports, 7A
Game night
spotlight
Political
patchwork
Candidates square
off at USCL forum
LAURA CASKEY/lcaskey@thelancasternews.com
Sixth Circuit
Solicitor
candidate
William
Frick (D)
Sixth Circuit
Solicitor
candidate
Randy
Newman (R)
Lancaster County
Council District 4
candidate
John Hess (R)
Lancaster County
Council District 4
candidate
Larry
Honeycutt (D)
Lancaster County
Probate Judge
candidate
Sandy Estridge (D)
Lancaster County
Probate Judge
candidate
Jerry Holt (R)
U.S. House of
Representatives
candidate Mick
Mulvaney (R)
U.S. House of
Representatives
candidate Tom
Adams (D)
Before You
Vote candidate
forum
co-moderator
Rick Jiran
From left, Lancaster City Council candidates Racarda Blackmon
and Kenny Hood, city council and mayoral candidate
Anthony Elder and
mayor candidate Joe Shaw
Denyse Clark and Christopher Sardelli
Staff reporters
As voters weigh their options
this election season, a slew of
candidates made their cases for
why they’re the best person for
the job during the Before You
Vote – 2014 Candidate Forum on
Tuesday night, Oct. 28.
See FORUM I Page 2A
Reece Murphy
rmurphy@thelancasternews.com
The S.C. Department of
Health and Environmental
Control earlier this year is-
sued a cease and desist or-
der against an Indian Land
recycler it sanctioned in
2012 for regulatory viola-
tions.
The April 2014 cease and
desist order against Press-
ley’s Recycling Inc. and its
parent company, Crisis
Hill Inc., came to light re-
cently as DHEC attorneys
interviewed local residents
in preparation for a Janu-
ary administrative court
hearing in Columbia.
In researching the or-
der, The Lancaster News
also discovered DHEC
fined the company, locat-
ed at 9531 Charlotte High-
way, in early 2013 for vio-
lating the terms of an air
quality permit it granted
the company only five
months earlier.
The cease and desist or-
der, issued April 15, orders
Pressley’s Recycling to im-
mediately stop accepting
or bringing waste or other
material onto the proper-
ty, burying waste or other
material and accepting,
grinding and processing
asphalt shingles.
The order notes a num-
ber of violations leading
to the decision, most dis-
covered during four site
inspections in January,
February and March.
Among the violations
noted by inspectors were:
Unpermitted landfill-
ing activity consisting of
commingled piles of con-
struction and demolition
waste, concrete, asphalt
and unprocessed land-
clearing debris that had
been “pushed, covered or
buried” without a landfill
permit
Grinding operations
being conducted outside
the permitted area and
improperly maintained
windrows of unprocessed
materials, with 50-foot
wide fire lanes either
blocked or nonexistent
No drainage and
storm water runoff con-
trols resulting in “pond-
ing” in several areas and
evidence of “spillage,
staining and liquid accu-
mulation”
Failure to hire an as-
bestos inspector to con-
duct sampling, testing,
record keeping and re-
porting on asphalt shin-
gles taken in for grinding
as required by DHEC reg-
ulations and the compa-
ny’s air quality permit A
significant portion of the
DHEC
order
targets
recycler
Agency cites
Indian Land
business for
regulatory
violations
See DHEC I Page 12A

EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT
OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES
AllWeekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
Union County News
Graham Williams
Prior to every meeting of the Union County Board of
School Trustees, board secretary Kim Petty sends me a
copy of the agenda.
The agenda lists each activity, from
the superintendent's report to the finance
report, along with whether or not the
board is expected to take action on a
particular item and the administration's
recommended course of action.
The agenda also notes if additional
information about a particular item is in
the board members' packets. For exam-
ple, four agenda items at tonight's meet-
ing have the word “enclosures,” “enclo-
sure” or “enclosed” beside them in
parentheses.
What do you suppose is contained in
these “enclosures”? That's for board
members to know and the rest of us to guess.
When Union City Council and Union County Council
meet, I get emails with PDFs of everything on the agen-
da, including minutes of previous meetings, pages of
proposed ordinances and applications for various boards.
Nothing is withheld.
Because of this transparency, city council and county
council meetings are very open and relaxed. Reporters
covering the meetings know ahead of time what is going
to be discussed, as well as the background for each agen-
da item.
Contrast that with school board meetings, where
reporters are kept in the dark about everything. We listen
in silence, taking notes about things we know little or
nothing about. We can ask questions after the meeting,
when board members are heading out the door, or call
the district office the next day.
That wouldn't be necessary if we were given same
i f i b d b
Graham
Williams
Why so much
secrecy for school
board meetings?

AllWeekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
The Voice of Blythewood
and Fairfield County
James Denton
Redaction JacksonW h e n
t h o s e
c h a r g e d
with enforc-
ing the law
take it upon
themselves
to parse the finer points of our stat-
utes, ordinances and codes, interpret-
ing the law for themselves, it is not
unlike a registered nurse performing
open heart surgery.
It is dangerous and it should be
avoided entirely.
The law is a malleable, yet delicate
thing. It should be handled by those
whose profession, education and ac-
creditation is the law. When law en-
forcement begins probing those wa-
ters, interpreting when it should be
enforcing, the membrane that sepa-
rates powers begins to lose its integ-
rity; and when those who make the
laws and those who enforce the laws
become indistinguishable, we may
find we are flirting with what is com-
monly known as a Police State.
The laws designed to keep our gov-
ernment open to the public whom
it serves are no different than laws
governing speed limits or laws that
define murder or theft as crimes.
These are the rules as adopted by the
elected representatives of our society,
rules that reflect the general attitude
of the people and rules that have been
upheld by the courts. And while one
public body or another may, however
futilely, challenge these open govern-
ment laws, those challenges are made
in the courtroom, by legal profession-
als. The law is not picked apart piece-
meal before a judge can get ahold of it.
And yet, portions of our state’s
Freedom of Information Act laws are
being systematically ignored or sub-
verted by some of the very people
we expect to enforce the laws in our
society. A recent review of incident
reports indicates that the Richland
County Sheriff’s Department ap-
pears to take a broad – and legally
unsupportable – attitude toward
what is and what is not exempt from
public disclosure. As The Voice re-
ported last week on a series of vio-
lent crimes in the Blythewood area,
The Voice
Speaks
James Denton
editor
Thus, the “policy” of the Sheriff’s
Department appears to have no
rhyme or reason to it; and the “pol-
icy,” if one actually exists, is a policy
to violate the law. To date, the Sher-
iff’s Department has not been able
to define for us their policy or to
provide us with their legal justifica-
tion for it.
The law, however, is quite clear. In-
cident reports are to be made avail-
able upon request. There is no waiting
period. From these reports, only the
names of undercover informants, in-
vestigatory techniques not otherwise
known outside the government and
contents of wire taps may be with-
held. Information that may endanger
the life or property of a person may
also be withheld, an exemption that,
as agencies combat gang violence, is
understandable, but one that may be
most widely abused.
It is a common misconception that
there exists an exemption for the
identity of minors. There does not.
Not in the FOIA or in any other S.C.
statute. Similarly, according to Bill
Rogers, Executive Director of the S.C.
Press Association, a law exempting
the names of sexual assault victims
has been ruled unconstitutional. That
does not mean, however, that a news-
paper would somehow be compelled
to publish the names of victims of any
crime or contact the victim for their
input on a news story. Typically, The
Voice does not, nor would any media
outlet that wanted to retain the trust
and respect of the public. Only unique
circumstances, such as our report last
fall on an armed robbery at the Dollar
General in Ridgeway during which a
victim acted with considerable cour-
age when facing down a pair of gun-
men, would ever lead us to contact the
victim of any crime. And there is no
reason of which we can readily con-
ceive that would ever lead us to con-
tact or publish the name of a victim of
sexual assault.
But the law clearly places the re-
sponsibility for making that determi-
nation in the hands of the media, not
in the hands of law enforcement. An
atmosphere of trust, therefore, must
exist between law enforcement and

AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
The Manning Times
Joe Perry
Joe
PERRY

REVIEW PORTFOLIO
AllWeekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
The Greer Citizen
William Buchheit
Rating: 7 out of 10
T
hings change as they
get older, and rock
bands are no excep-
tion.
Alabama’s Drive-By
Truckers have gone
through three stages in
their 16-year career. In
the late ’90s, they were
more or less a raucous
country group. Then,
in 2001, they picked up
young guitarist/song-
writer Jason Isbell and
became one of the best
and hardest rocking
bands in the world. When
Isbell left in 2006, they
mellowed out somewhat,
relying as much on Jay
Gonzales’ keyboards and
John Neff’s pedal steel as
the “three-ax attack” that
had become their trade-
mark.
Yet, through the tor-
nado of divorce, line-up
changes and record
company disputes that’s
leveled the band over the
last decade, one thing has
remained as sturdy as
that old brick well behind
your grandparents’ house
– the superior lyrics of
singers Mike Cooley and
Patterson Hood.
From a musical stand-
point, DBT’s new album,
“English Oceans,” is their
most diverse record since
2009’s “Brighter Than
Creations Dark.” Cooley
and Hood seamlessly
blend Stones-inspired
rockers (the opener,
Cooley’s “Shots Count”)
with pure country (Hood’s
“Hanging On” and
Cooley’s “First Air of Au-
tumn”) and booze-fueled
blues (Cooley’s “Natural
Light”), the last of which
sounds unlike anything
the band has ever record-
ed. The same can be said
for Cooley’s “Made Up
English Oceans,” a venom-
ous political allegory set
to the beat of an old Hol-
lywood Western.
Hood offers some
political commentary of
his own on “The Part of
Him,” in which he slams
a tea-party politician who
“never worked an honest
day, just kissed up to a
better way / to sell the
cow that you could get for
free.”
But while this band, like
most others, has be-
come more political with
age, they’re wheelhouse
remains the intimate and
philosophical. While
more obtuse than most of
Cooley’s work, “First Air
of Autumn” may well be
the album’s finest song, a
meditation on age, ideals
and their inevitable disap-
pointment:
“Memory only shows
the promise beauty broke
/ of beauty ageless in its
time. / Light attracts the
same, you glance away
and the glory fades / and
being on your arm has
lost it’s shine.”
It’s the album’s quieter
moments where Hood
shines as well. Gonza-
lez’s piano gives “When
Walter Went Crazy” a
somber beauty, even as
Hood sings of a man who
burned his house down
with his wife still inside.
The record’s closer,
“Grand Canyon,” is an
epic along the lines of
earlier album finales like
“Angels and Fuselage”
and “World of Hurt.”
The difference is the
new tune is less literal
than existential.
“We roll on in the dark-
ness to some city far
away, lug our sorrows,
pains and angers and turn
them into play. / There’s
no time to dwell upon it.
It’s the life we chose that
made it all worth living
through the horrors that
life throws.”
The song is dedicated to
Craig Lieske, who trav-
eled with DBT and sold
band merchandise at their
concerts for many years.
I got to talk to him at
enough shows to see that
he embodied the same
passion for music and life
of the band he served. In
the wake of his untimely
death, that band has
made a record he’d have
been proud of. Though
he won’t be with them
for their summer tour,
his spirit will surely be
felt each time the lights
darken and DBT goes on.
ALBUM
REVIEW
WILLIAM
BUCHHEIT
New Truckers’ album
reveals more mature band
ART | SUBMITTED
Drive-By Truckers’‘English Oceans’ album is dedicated to
late roadie Craig Lieske.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Run time: 149 minutes
Rated:‘R’for language,
violence and nudity
I
didn’t like Gillian
Flynn’s 2012 novel
“Gone Girl” as much as
most people.
I thought it was an
unpredictable and en-
ertaining story hurt by
clichés, heavy-handedness
and unlikable principal
characters.
David Fincher’s two-
and-a-half hour adapta-
ion of that work is a bit
more compelling and fun
han the book was. It’s a
supense/thriller but also
a black comedy, a disturb-
ng and distasteful satire
on marriage and 24-hour
TV news.
The plot is about Nick
Ben Affleck) and Amy
Dunn (Rosamund Pike), a
couple of writers who met
n NYC and then moved
o Missouri when Nick’s
mother got cancer. Since
hen, it’s been a steady
downhill slide propelled
by financial problems,
n-laws and infidelity.
When Amy goes missing
on the day of their fifth
wedding anniversary,
Nick becomes the primary
suspect. A few days later,
t’s the biggest story in
he news, and Nick enlists
the aid of his sister (Car-
rie Coon) and a bigshot
lawyer (Tyler Perry) to
try to clear his name and
discover what happened
to his wife.
I won’t give anything
away, but like Flynn’s
book, the film is full of
delicious plot twists. It’s
also loyal to the novel,
not surprising consider-
ing Flynn was selected to
write the screenplay.
While “Gone Girl” isn’t
one of Fincher’s best
films, it does put his
filmmaking talents on
full exhibit. In the hands
of a lesser director, this
would likely have ended
up a mess. But Fincher
delicately balances sus-
pense with dark comedy,
psychological horror with
social satire. He juggles
the source material with
deft hands, and could
well end up with his third
Oscar nomination.
As is now standard for
Fincher’s flicks, the acting
is superb. Affleck is as
good as he’s ever been
and Pike delivers a break-
through performance that
will likely make her a star.
As the twin sister, Coon
provides the voice of hu-
manity and reason, while
Neil Patrick Harris is well
cast as an obsessed boy-
friend from Amy’s past.
Predictably, for those
who’ve read the book,
“Gone Girl’s” primary flaw
is the inherent selfishness
of both main characters.
It impedes viewer sym-
pathy, and makes the
drawn-out ending even
flatter than it should have
been. Trimming the last
half hour would have
tightened the film up,
though it might have cost
Fincher a few swings at
the piñata known as the
American media.
MOVIE
REVIEW
WILLIAM
BUCHHEIT
‘Gone Girl’ a twisted blend of suspense, satire
PHOTO | COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY FOX
Theplotof‘GoneGirl’revolvesaroundNick(BenAffleck)andAmyDunn(RosamundPike),
two writers who met in NYC and moved to Missouri when Nick’s mother got cancer. RATING: 7 OUT OF 10
W
eezer’s concerts
are a lot like their
albums – fun, fast,
rocking and over before
you know it. The Califor-
nia quartet’s show last
Wednesday at Charlotte’s
Fillmore Music Hall didn’t
disappoint, taking the
capacity crowd on an
exciting if somewhat
predictable 80-minute trip
down memory lane.
New York garage rock-
ers The Last International
opened things up at 8
p.m., putting together a
spirited half-hour set that
included both original ma-
terial and one cover song.
When I saw the trio open
for Scott Weiland at the
Fillmore last Fall, they did
an absolutely spellbinding
version of The Animals’
“House of the Rising Sun.”
This time, the cover they
chose was “Cod’ine,” a
1963 folk song about ad-
diction by Beverly Saint-
Marie. Like most of the
tunes they perform, it was
a showcase for singer Del-
ilah Paz’s soulful vocals
and guitarist Edgey Pire’s
speedy solo runs. With
former Rage Against the
Machine drummer Brad
Wilk joining the group
last year, this is certainly
an act to look out for.
As one might expect,
Weezer came out right at
9 p.m., smashing out their
anthemic 1994 rocker,
“My Name Is Jonas.”
Within seconds, fists
were pumping in the air
and heads were swaying
side to side as the mostly
Gen-X crowd sang along
with every lyric. In his
geeky cardigan sweater,
Harvard graduate and
Weezer frontman Rivers
Cuomo ripped through
the songs with minimal
interruption. He did,
however, repeatedly thank
the Charlotte crowd and
encouraged them to sing
along on “Perfect Situa-
tion” and “Say It Ain’t So.”
The only real break in
the 80-minute set came
seven songs in when the
group went into “Island
in the Sun.” Though that
breezy, unlikely 2001
single is probably my
least favorite by the band,
most fans gleefully sang
along to it as they tipped
a half-dozen beach balls
around the club.
There were two other
facets of the performance
that I took issue with. The
first was Cuomo’s deci-
sion to relinquish lead
vocals to bassist Scott
Shriner on “Dope Nose,”
and later to drummer Pat
Wilson on “Photograph”
(as he took over the
drums). The results were
choppy, abbreviated ver-
sions of those songs. The
other thing that disap-
pointed me was that they
played just a single song
from their wonderful
1997 album, “Pinkerton”
(“The Good Life”)
They did atone for
those shortcomings by
playing five songs off
their debut record, includ-
ing the crowd favorites
“Undone (Sweater Song)”
and “Buddy Holly,” the
last of which closed the
show with a flurry. I guess
at my own ideal Weezer
concert, the band would
play their first two al-
bums all the way through.
But musicians don’t like
to live in the past. Cuomo
and crew are working on
another album, and they
gave us a little preview
of it Wednesday night
with the brand new tune
“Back to the Shack.” The
song indicated the band
still has some catchy
melodies left in the tank,
and Cuomo still has some
nasty guitar hooks to go
along with them.
1. My Name is Jonas
2. Hash Pipe
3. Perfect Situation
4.Troublemaker
5.The Good Life
6. SurfWax America
7. Island in the Sun
8. Beverly Hills
9. Dope Nose
10. Back to the Shack
11. Say It Ain’t So
12. IWon’tYouTo
13. Pork and Beans
14. Undone (Sweater Song)
15. Photograph
Encore
16. Memories
17. Buddy Holly
CONCERT
REVIEW
WILLIAM
BUCHHEIT
Weezer gets back
to ‘The Good Life’ in Charlotte
PHOTO | SUBMITTED
Weezer took a capacity crowd in Charlotte’s Fillmore Music Hall on an 80-minute trip
down memory lane lastWednesday night.
SETLIST |

REVIEW PORTFOLIO
AllWeekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
Greenville Journal
Vincent Harris Linda Rodney, a.k.a.
Chocolate Thunder
1956-2014
Forces of Nature aren’t supposed to be
mortal, and if you ever saw Linda Rodney,
a.k.a. “Chocolate Thunder,” raise the roof
off of any venue she played, you know that
she was a natural force like no other.
She was a blues singer who radiated joy; a
gritty, low-down R&B belter who praised a
higher power at every opportunity; she was
both glamour and sweat personified. She
was a guaranteed show-stealer who owned
whatever stage she occupied. She was cer-
tainly a gifted songwriter, but her true tal-
ent lay in performance, where her voice
took on standards and originals like the true instrument it was, full of vigorous life.
It was quite a shock to me, then, to hear of her passing on June 30, after battling
an undisclosed illness. It was all the things an unexpected passing usually seems
to be: surreal, unfair, confusing – and that’s just as a bystander; someone who
simply loved being in her audience.
I decided to reach out to the musicians she played with over her 57 years, and
try to get a sense of what she meant to them.
“Linda was one of the most creative people I’ve ever known. She wrote lyrics
24/7, even in her sleep. She found music in everything – trees, birds, dirt roads,
old broken-down barns, it didn’t matter. Whatever song she was singing, she be-
came that song.” – Max Hightower, former bandleader, arranger, guitarist
and harmonica player for Chocolate Thunder.
“One of the hottest gigs (literally) I have ever played in my life was with her
band down near Charleston. It was well over 100 degrees, we were outside, and
Linda was still dancing up a storm and doing her signature splits. She only had
one gear when she performed: Full out, all the time! I will always cherish hav-
ing played on her albums, performed onstage with her, and known her as a per-
son. She will be celebrated, remembered and missed.” – Craig Sorrells, trumpet
player, singer and bandleader.
“I’ve worked off and on with Linda since the 1990s. She tore the house down with
two amazing performances at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2009, which I believe
led directly to her signing with Alligator Records. We’ll never know what might
have happened from there. We were supposed to perform on Main Street in front of
the Hyatt on June 13, but she was unable. We left an open mic on stage as a tribute.”
– Kym MacKinnon, guitarist for Zataban, an Upstate blues-rock band.
“Linda was an amazing performer who always demanded the crowd’s atten-
tion and didn’t mind working hard to keep it. I’m blessed to have known her and
called her my friend.” -Tez Sherard, drummer for various groups including
Zataban and the Craig Sorrells project.
“Linda was the epitome of rhythm and blues. Every musician who ever worked
with her was blessed. She was an incredible lady and talent. She will live on in her
music and our hearts.” – Frank Wilkie, former Marshall Tucker Band bassist
and producer of Chocolate Thunder’s “Ear Candy” album.
“She was a dynamic performer and a beautiful, sweet person. Anyone who
met her felt the love she had for people. She will never be forgotten.” – Freddie
Vanderford, former harmonica player for Chocolate Thunder.
“She was a dynamic performer and an even better human being. Her presence
and huge heart will be missed.” – Spartanburg blues guitarist Shane Pruitt.
And now to give Mrs. Rodney the last word with her final message to the audi-
ence at every show: “It’s time to go,” she would say. “I just want to tell you that
Jesus loves you, and so do I.”
VINCENT HARRIS | CONTRIBUTOR
vharris@communityjournals.com
SOUND CHECKWITH VINCENT HARRIS
J-CDESINOR,2009
Last call
The Handlebar prepares for the next act
Let’s get one thing straight from the start: For every person who reads this col-
umn with interest, there’s probably at least one more who’s going to roll his eyes
and say, “ANOTHER piece about The Handlebar?”
The venue, which is closing its doors on Stone Avenue at the end of April after
13 years in operation, has always had its share of detractors. And that’s just fine
with The Handlebar’s co-owner and talent booker, John Jeter.
“I totally get it,” he says. “It’s the same
way I feel about venues that are bigger
than The Handlebar. When another
venue down the street gets a band we
had, I get that same feeling. But when
my brother and my wife and I started
this 20 years ago, we said, ‘It’s not about
the competition, it’s about the art.’ And if
you can provide the very best art you can
in the best facility you have available, let
everybody else worry about themselves.”
No one can argue that The Handle-
bar Listening Room has provided the
very best art. Since opening its original location on Mills Avenue in the 1990s, the
venue’s stage has played host to thousands of musicians, building an impeccable
roster of future stars and past titans.
You want rock legends? How about Ace Frehley, Johnny Winter, Todd Rundgren,
Joan Baez, Little Feat and Arlo Guthrie? You want critically acclaimed, massively in-
fluential songwriters? How about Guy Clark, John Hiatt, The Flatlanders and Steve
Earle? You want the platinum-plated stars of today? How about the Zac Brown Band,
John Mayer, Shinedown and Nickel Creek? And that’s just a few from each category.
So why, after all that success, is The Handlebar closing? That’s a bit compli-
cated. Financial issues and disagreements between the club’s multiple owners are
only part of the story. The other part is that The Handlebar has to grow, and its
current digs simply aren’t getting the job done anymore.
“The best way to put it is that in the last 20 years, we feel like we’ve really been
the vanguard of the Greenville music scene,” Jeter says, “and we’ve built it to the
point that we’ve outgrown this space.”
Jeter, the public face of The Handlebar since the beginning (the venue’s logo,
a handlebar mustache, is based on his own impressive facial fuzz), looks back on
the venue’s accomplishments with a great deal of pride.
“This is a natural place for bands to develop that nobody knows about at first.
Bands like needtobreathe, Zac Brown and Shinedown all started out in smaller
markets like this one. So The Handlebar was in a great spot for that,” he says.
Unlike a lot of other venues (and businesses in general) The Handlebar has
always had a fiercely loyal group of supporters and employees, and Jeter is quick
to give credit for that feeling of family to The Handlebar’s lesser-known but just
as important co-owner: his wife, Kathy Laughlin.
“Well, that loyalty and love is because of Kathy,” he says. “She cares a whole lot
more about her people than anything else, including herself. It’s just who she is.
She’s created a culture here where people really care about each other.”
So given that loyalty and affection, when the last show on The Handlebar stage
– a four-band blowout featuring the Craig Sorrells Project, Milli Fungus, the Mar-
cus King Band and Four 14 – is over, and the lights go off at 304 Stone Ave., how
does John Jeter think he’s going to feel about all this?
“I’m hugely excited because of the opportunities out there, but this is family. And
when the family becomes homeless, even temporarily, it’s going to be hard,” he said.
I had one last question for John: Where’s that new location going to be?
“If I told you, I’d have to have you killed,” he said.
Fair enough. He’s earned the right to tell us whenever he feels like it.
Not your daddy’s
bluegrass
I suppose it’s possible that, for
some casual music fans, Bruce
Hornsby is still the guy who sang
“The Way It Is,” and Ricky Skaggs
is a mainstream country artist
from the ’80s. But since the 1990s,
both these men have stretched
their musical boundaries tremen-
dously, evolving into master mu-
sicians who have earned the right
to play whatever they want with
whoever they want.
After spending the ’80s as a ra-
dio-friendly country artist, Skaggs
signaled his creative rebirth with
1997’s defiantly titled “Bluegrass
Rules!” album, and has created
his own record label, Skaggs Fam-
ily Records, to release albums of
whatever he prefers to record.
Hornsby broke his pop-radio mold with 1992’s jazzy “Harbor Lights” album, and
has since dabbled in psychedelia (touring with the Grateful Dead), electronica,
and more.
Make no mistake: It was the trailblazer versions of Skaggs and Hornsby who
played the Peace Center on Feb. 5.
Taking the stage with Skaggs’ dazzling Kentucky Thunder quintet, the group
quickly blasted through a couple of lightning-fast traditional-sounding bluegrass
tunes, with Hornsby erasing any doubts about his grand piano’s place in the pro-
ceedings. His adventurous solos ranged from barrelhouse boogie-woogie playing
to quicksilver runs up and down the keyboard, spurring Skaggs to even greater
virtuosity on his mandolin. But after that warm-up for the packed Peace Center
house, the evening moved away from the traditional.
Hornsby surprised the crowd with a nearly nine-minute version of “The Way
It Is” with Skaggs taking the lead vocal and the band executing incredibly flex-
ible soloing through jazzy jam sections, building to a delightful climax that both
recalled and left behind the ’80s radio classic.
The group then took on two standard bluegrass numbers in incredibly non-stan-
dard fashion, turning “Darlin’ Corey” (most closely associated with Bill Monroe)
into a moving, emotional piece that once again approached the 10-minute mark,
with Hornsby commenting at the end of the breathtaking performance that the
song was a little different every night. A later Monroe tune, “Blue Night,” was given
a jaunty, almost pop-song-like treatment, and Skaggs even indulged the somewhat
rowdy crowd’s demand for one of his older country hits, “Highway 40 Blues.”
The playing was stellar throughout. Hornsby’s delight was obvious as he leapt
from his piano bench during parts of his solos and even plucked the strings inside
the piano on one number. Skaggs’ own soloing was masterful as always, but in
general, he took a bit of a backseat to the ensemble, allowing guitarist Cody Kilby
and fiddler Andy Leftwich to steal much of the instrumental spotlight. His voice
was in amazing form, however, its clarity and range making it difficult to believe
Skaggs is about to turn 60.
The only real issue was that Hornsby’s high-end piano playing was occasionally
swallowed up in the cavernous Peace Center acoustics.
The set swung back towards more traditional bluegrass at the end, but the en-
core was a real treat: You haven’t lived until you’ve heard Ricky Skaggs and Bruce
Hornsby tear through Rick James’ “Super Freak,” with a few moments of John
Anderson’s “Swingin’” thrown in for good measure.
In short, this wasn’t your daddy’s bluegrass, and it was an outstanding show.

REVIEW PORTFOLIO
AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
Free Times
Jordan Lawrence

HEALTH BEAT REPORTING
AllWeekly Division
HONORABLE MENTION:
The News & Reporter
Nancy Parsons
4 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 • The News & Reporter • Surviving Cancer
BY NANCY PARSONS
gfreporter@onlinechester.com
Dequitta Kennedy of Great Falls said
she no longer takes life for granted.
“I’m happy to be alive,” said the Chester
County Family Court deputy clerk.
“Cancer has changed me in so many
ways. My whole outlook on life is so much
different. Every day is a gift and I am grate-
ful that my cancer was diagnosed so
early.”
Kennedy, 44, said she had her first
mammogram in August 2010 when she
was 40-years-old.
“Everything was fine,”
she said.
But her second annual
mammogram in August
2011 showed cause for con-
cern.
The diagnostic and
screening tool used in the
early detection of breast can-
cer, typically through detec-
tion of characteristic masses and/or micro-
calcifications, warranted a follow-up diag-
nostic mammogram.
Kennedy vividly recalls sitting in the
waiting area at the Women’s Diagnostic
Center in Rock Hill with other women who
had been asked to come back for a second
mammogram. It was first believed
Kennedy’s problem area was calcification
and was 80-percent benign.
After the second mammogram was per-
formed, the nurse navigator and doctor told
Kennedy she needed to have a biopsy done
because the area of concern was still visible
and appeared to be cancer.
Kennedy’s mother, Carolyn Kennedy,
and her sister were supposed to go with her
for the follow-up visit but were unable to.
Friends also offered to accompany her but
Kennedy believed everything would be fine
and went alone. She had no idea she would
be told the “c” word.
“I went to my car and cried and cried,”
she said. “It took forever to get to Great
Falls. I cried all day and could not work the
next day because my eyes were swollen so
bad.”
Kennedy said she performed monthly
self-check breast exams but did not feel a
lump.Shefeelsfortunatethecancershowed
up on the mammogram.
Kennedy said there is no history of
breast cancer in her family and she became
deeply concerned for her identical twin sis-
ter, Jequitta Lynn of Fort Lawn. The twins
have another sister, Teresa Kennedy of
Lancaster.
“I stress to my family to
have mammograms,” she
said.
Kennedy said she, her
family and church family at
Paradise AME Zion Church
began to pray and she found
the faith needed to deal with
her diagnosis.
“My faith is what really
helped me though this,” she said. “My faith
is much stronger now.”
She said loving and supportive family
were also key elements in her determina-
tion to beat the disease.
“I hope I set an example for my family
and other people. I hope people gain knowl-
edge and strength from my experience,”
Kennedy said.
Kennedy was scheduled for a biopsy on
Oct. 20, 2011. The diagnosis – ductal carci-
noma in situ.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the
most common type of non-invasive breast
cancer. Ductal means the cancer starts
inside the milk ducts, carcinoma refers to
any cancer that begins in the skin or other
tissues (including breast tissue) that cover
or line the internal organs and in situ
means “in its original place.”
DCIS is called “non-invasive” because it
hasn’t spread beyond the milk duct into any
BY NANCY PARSONS/THE N&R
Dequitta Kennedy said she no longer takes life for granted after receiving a breast cancer
diagnosis. Fortunately Kennedy’s cancer was found early. She underwent surgery and
radiation treatments and is now considered cancer free.
...“I’m stronger so now
I ask myself
‘Why not me?’ You can
survive breast cancer.”
–DequittaKennedy

AllWeekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
Chronicle-Independent
Martin L. Cahn New Interim CEO moving
forward at KershawHealth
Gunn on
healthcare,
family and
muscle cars
By MARTIN L. CAHN
C-I (Camden, S.C.) editor
mcahn@chronicle-independent.com
The ﬁrst thing Terry Gunn
mentions is how the older of his
two sons loves photography.
“He buys all these cameras
off eBay and refurbishes them,”
Gunn said.
When asked if his son loves
ﬁlm cameras, or digital, he
points out that his older son is
a 21-year-old student wrapping
up an associate’s degree in com-
puter engineering at Trident
Technical College and doesn’t
know anything about pre-digital
cameras.
Terry Gunn, who began as KershawHealth’s interim CEO
a week ago, stands by a Christmas tree just outside his
office. Gunn says he is encouraged by the healthcare or-
ganization’s 100-year tradition of serving the community.See Gunn, Page A5
C-I photo by Martin L. Cahn

AllWeekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
Daniel Island News
Elizabeth Bush May 8 - 14, 2014 The Daniel Island NewsThe Daniel Island News May 8 - 14, 201416 FEATURE thedanielislandnews.com
ELIZABETH BUSH
beth@thedanielislandnews.com
Imagine suddenly being dropped off in the middle of an intersection in
a bustling, foreign city, bombarded with a language you can’t understand.
Cars are honking and people are staring as you look for a way out. With a
feeling of anxiety growing in your stomach, you frantically search for help,
but see no way to navigate to a place of safety and comfort.
Welcome to the world Daniel Island resident Mindy Allen and her hus-
band, Haddon, found themselves in some 10 years ago. It wasn’t exactly
a foreign country, but it sure felt like one. In 2004, their son, also named
Haddon, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They were
scared, alone and didn’t know where to turn.
with all of these questions…And at that time of diagnosis, I was not given
The Allens, who also have two
other children, had moved into
in Wilmington, North Carolina.
During Mindy’s pregnancy with
Haddon, they had been heavily
involved in a renovation project at
the house, which was built in the
1925. Within the year after Had-
don’s birth, he began to experience
troubling symptoms, said Mindy. He
wasn’t cooing, couldn’t make eye
contact, experienced bloody stools,
and suffered tantrums punctuated by
piercing screams.
“I knew from day one there was
about to give up.
“I said ‘I know something is wrong, and it’s not teething, and it’s not
At age one, Haddon was given a routine blood test for lead. It came
and pushed on in their pursuit to determine what was making Haddon
both reception and expressive language. A year later, they got the autism
diagnosis.
“When we got the diagnosis, we actually felt better, because at least we
But getting information to help them process Haddon’s condition was
answers to their many questions. As part of his treatment, Haddon began
speech therapy. His caregiver opened a new door they had not considered.
She noticed he had eczema and teary eyes and suggested that he be evalu-
ated by an Environmental Medicine specialist. That visit would prove to be
a game changer.
DIGGING DEEPER
The physician they went to see, Dr. Allan Lieberman, of the Center for
-
ducted a medical investigation of Haddon’s life, beginning with Mindy’s
pregnancy. She told him of her experience supervising the renovation
at their home, during which their kitchen was gutted, old radiators were
ripped out, and paint was scraped off the walls. Dr. Lieberman then con-
ducted a lead test of Haddon’s hair and urine. It was a much more intensive
study than his previous test, as it looked within body tissues where lead
toxins can hide. The results were shocking.
Dr. Lieberman suggested that all of Haddon’s symptoms were likely
the result of lead poisoning, and not autism. Haddon immediately began
-
tion process.
“We got home and immediately did everything he suggested and more,
added Mindy. “It became my alternate calling! And we saw overnight
Soon, Haddon’s eczema and teary eyes were gone, and his developmen-
tal delays showed marked improvement.
“We would run to his bed every morning because it was like he was
like experiencing a milestone from somebody with special needs. It is
Dr. Lieberman pointed out that Haddon’s case was relatively unique, as
to lead. Although, according to the Lead Safe America Foundation, the
number of documented cases is continuing to rise.
“An important principle to remember is, genetics loads the gun but
individuality alters our susceptibility explaining why some children are
Within a year of starting care at Lieberman’s clinic, Haddon was back
down to the normal reference range for lead and was relatively symptom-
free. In 2008, the family relocated from North Carolina to Daniel Island.
with no signs of ASD lead toxicity.
A NEW CALLING….
Although Haddon is no longer considered a special needs child, the pain
of dealing with an unexpected diagnosis is still fresh for Mindy, whose
heart goes out to all families struggling with disabilities. So much so, in
fact, that she is determined to make their journey a little easier.
-
hensive web-based program that provides important information, as well
as connectivity with key providers and groups, for those tackling a new
diagnosis.
explained. “That’s when we really started honing in on the vision…The
questions are emotional…The main thing that we want parents to know
is that the majority of families share that they are stronger and closer as a
Giving families with special needs the right tools to process what they
are experiencing, from cradle to career, will make a world of difference,
said Mindy. In addition, the website will include master lists of support
to enable the special needs community to connect the dots on a local and
national level.
Due to be completed July 1 by Bryan Boyd, the “Special Family
on coping with disabilities, what to do when you get a diagnosis, sibling
impacts, help for single parents, provider referrals, events and programs
“I think this resource will be so good at providing bite-sized pieces that
needs families are….So then it becomes an information highway and
Mindy has also enlisted the help of many Daniel Island and Charleston
area friends, such as Gisele Woodward, who, along with her husband,
Mark, started the Woodward Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Mark and
their two children suffer from the disorders. What Mindy is creating,
those in need of support.
as a resource on the site. “I completely support her efforts…The emotional
aspects of having a child or a spouse diagnosed with a chronic condition is
the same for the entire family, no matter the condition. Having a resource
that lists unique information for each condition, but also shares resources…
Mindy also commended island resident Laura Dolloff of InTown Dis-
counts, a web-based network that promotes local businesses and causes,
for lending her support to the project. InTown provides complimentary ser-
visibility before the site’s growing audience (they had more than 98,000
visits last year alone).
“God forbid this happens to your family and you don’t know where to
-
lection of information is just so powerful…Mindy will not only post her
resource guide (on our site) but also relevant events and happenings that
would be of interest to special needs families, but also to raise awareness in
With the website soon to be complete, the hiring of a new Director of
Business Development (Patricia Ewing), and a number of other partner-
ships in the works, Mindy is excited to see where this new adventure takes
them. Now, as opposed to that confusing and scary time so many years
ago, her path has never been more clear.
“The goal for me is that nobody walks around for two years before
getting that information. Although I had a great outcome with our son,
emotionally, I can’t even begin to tell you (how tough it was)….There is
nothing more isolating than feeling like that. But everything I went through
For additional information, such as how to become a Special Family
MANDY HOSTETLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Mindy Allen is the founder/creator of “Special Family Resource,” a compre-
hensive web-based program that provides important information, as well
as connectivity with key providers and groups, for those tackling a new
diagnosis.
MANDY HOSTETLER PHOTOGRAPHY
The Allens presently live on Daniel Island.
to help families with special needs
DI MOM ON A MISSION
‘Special Family’ Resource to bridge gaps
During Mindy’s pregnancy with Had-
don, she had been heavily involved
in a renovation project at her house,
which was built in the 1925.

AllWeekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
Greenville Journal
April A. Morris
JOURNAL COMMUNITY
Clemson and Dartmouth
researchers debut
computational jewelry for
health care applications
APRIL A. MORRIS | STAFF
amorris@communityjournals.com
People interested in losing weight or
tracking their physical activity can use
a wearable device like Fitbit, Fuelband
or others to track steps, calories burned
and even sleep patterns. Phone apps
help users log eating habits.
Now Clemson University researchers
are taking the technology a step further
with what they are calling “computa-
tional jewelry.”
In coordination with an interdisci-
plinary team of researchers at Dart-
mouth College, Clemson researchers
presented the wrist-worn Amulet pro-
totype at the USA Science and Engi-
neering Festival this spring.
Amulet is designed to integrate appli-
cations that monitor not only the wearer’s
vital signs, but also external sensors like
a scale or blood pressure cuff, said Kelly
Caine, assistant professor in Clemson’s
Human-Centered Computing Division.
Caine and Dr. Jacob Sorber, assistant
professor in the computer science divi-
sion, both worked on the Amulet device
and its supporting software.
“In the near future and certainly in
the long-term vision, these sorts of
health applications are going to be per-
vasive,” said Caine. “We’re going to have
something with us all the time that can
track physiological signals … there are
going to be trackers for social interac-
tion, even how you’re feeling.”
Amulet will be able to monitor health
conditions and could connect with po-
tentially lifesaving devices, Sorber said.
For a diabetic patient with an insulin
pump, “this could take sensor measure-
ments about your blood sugar, activity
and heart rate, bring them together and
decide when to give you the appropriate
dose of insulin,” he said.
Unlike a device that links to a mobile
phone, Amulet is self-contained, the re-
searchers said. Any data integration in
current technology is done via an app
rather than on a wearable device itself.
Sorber said he also envisions a phar-
macy-type model where a doctor could
prescribe particular software for a pa-
tient’s Amulet device.
Sorber, who worked primarily on the
software and programming portion of
development, said the team worked to
make the software easy to deploy, pro-
gram and secure. Because the technolo-
gy would be used for health purposes, it
needs to be stable and sound, he said. “A
Smart accessories
poorly crafted piece of software could
cause some sort of medical device to be-
have incorrectly. The consequences of a
bug could be much more significant.”
TECH CHALLENGES
Designing such a small, powerful
device was part of the challenge for re-
searchers, said Sorb-
er, sometimes leading
to “digital acrobatics”
to ensure that mul-
tiple apps could run
simultaneously and
separately “on a very
small device that has
very tight resource
constraints.”
Users are accus-
tomed to inputting
data through a mo-
bile device, but de-
signers had to invent
unique interaction techniques, deter-
mine what sort of display would work
best and what sort of notifications,
sound or vibrations, that users would
prefer, said Caine.
Because the device is used for health
applications, there are also privacy con-
cerns, whether it be a subtle notifica-
tion that only the patient can detect or
the secure transmission of information
to a patient, doctor or family member,
added Sorber.
PERVASIVE TECHNOLOGY
Just as mobile phones and applica-
tions have permeated users’ lives in the
last decade, Caine predicts that technol-
ogy offering real-time feedback for health
purposes will spread quickly. “People [us-
ers] believe that everyone will have these
devices in 10 years,” she said.
Researchers are also dealing with de-
vices that will always be worn, Caine
said. Options include a behind-the-ear
version, belts, rings,
pendants and an-
klets, depending on
what information
needs to be gathered.
However, research-
ers have to deter-
mine which locations
are acceptable to us-
ers, she said.
“Anklets have nega-
tive connotations be-
cause they’re worn by
criminals. That per-
vades our culture …
anklets connote being tracked in a nega-
tive way,” Caine said. Design and location
are also affected by what sort of data the
device needs to collect, Sorber said.
In addition, the team must design a
device that users will stick with, said
Caine. Nearly one-quarter of people
abandon their wearable devices after
three months, and half give them up af-
ter a year, she said.
This summer, Caine’s group will be
talking with existing users of wear-
able devices about their experiences,
she said. The teams will also continue
to refine the Amulet prototype, the re-
searchers said.
A computational jewelry prototype.
HALEYSUDDUTH,CLEMSONUNIVERSITY

FAITH REPORTING
THIRD PLACE:
S.C. United Methodist Advocate
Jessica Brodie ‘Showingupandbeingreal’
Greenville UMCs, other ministries form intentional
relationships to serve people in poverty
GREENVILLE—It’s daytime in Tent
City 2. Safe time, when a so-called
privileged woman like this writer can
dig her low heels in the loose gravel
and clay as she makes her way among
the tents, cardboard boxes and wood
planks, looking for stories, photos.
Anything to show people what it’s
really like to walk in these residents’
shoes.
“Don’t come here after dark—
you’d get eaten alive. Eaten clean
up,” a man warns, his eyes soft as one
hand clutches a giant-sized bottle of
beer. He shows off the bruises on his
face, bruises from when he himself
was beaten up two nights before.
“The days are OK, but the nights,
well, it’s awful.”
A dog, Baramas, roams the little
tent village, belonging to anybody
and nobody, his tail wagging as he
noses a morsel near the garbage cans
and snubs the black-furred tent cats
who nuzzle random scraps of clothing
and lick themselves clean, blatantly
ignoring the humans in their midst.
The humans gather in loose circles
on collapsible folding camp chairs
or around the lone picnic table.
They tease each other, sometimes
or just sit and keep company, wait-
-
See “Poverty,” Pages 16-17

FAITH REPORTING
SECOND PLACE:
The Baptist Courier
Butch Blume
JULY2O14 THECOURIER
IT IS AS MUCH A PART OF THE AMERICAN
panta ta ethne
S.C. BAPTIST VOICES JOIN EVANGELICALS
CALLING FOR ‘JUST AND COMPASSIONATE’
IMMIGRATION REFORM BY BUTCH BLUME, Managing Editor
Jim Goodroe
Each year on July 4, dozens of immigrants are
sworn in as citizens of the United States at Thomas

FAITH REPORTING
FIRST PLACE:
S.C. United Methodist
Advocate
Jessica Brodie
By Jessica Connor
GILBERT—What happens when you mix God, a vil-
lage in Africa and one rural South Carolina congrega-
tion who opened their hearts to the Spirit?
At least for the people of Kabanda village, outside
Mzuzu, Malawi, you get a brand-new school and a
place to worship the Lord who made it all happen,
courtesy of the willing souls at Pond Branch United
Methodist Church.
neighbors 8,000 miles away, Pond Branch collected
more than $20,000 to build a school for villagers
outside Mzuzu—a staggering amount for a rural,
sometimes-struggling church like Pond Branch. Most
of the money was donated in just one month’s time.
“It was just an immediate response: we have to
help, and this is something we can do,” said Charlene
Dunbar, chair of the missions committee at Pond
Branch, who brought the idea to her congregation
after a visit there in January 2013.
Construction is going on now, and they hope the
school will be complete in May.
From a well to a church to a school
It all started when the Rev. John Culp, pastor of
Virginia Wingard Memorial UMC, Columbia, found
out his infant granddaughter Reagan had cancer. Culp
decided to dig a well for the people of Mzuzu, Ma-
lawi, in Reagan’s honor; Reagan, 3, is now a survivor.
Later, churches throughout the Columbia District of
the UMC took aid to Malawi one step further, together
funding construction of Mzuzu UMC.
Pond Branch was one of the churches that helped
build Mzuzu UMC, and the response from the congre-
gation was far more than Pond Branch pastor the Rev.
Michael Bingham anticipated.
“John Culp was trying to get each church in the
district to give $500 to help raise the money, and
when I brought that up to church council, someone
said, ‘How about you take up a love offering instead
of us writing a check?’” Bingham said. “We raised
just under $1,200, far exceeding it, which kind of
shocked everyone.”
After all, Pond Branch is a small church with lim-
ited funds, and at the time, money was tight.
When a team was sent in January 2013 to witness
the building of Mzuzu UMC, Pond Branch sent two of
its own: Dunbar and her teenage daughter, Jordan.
While they were there, Dunbar got to see some-
and an unsteady roof with some timbers jammed up
trying to hold it in place over the children’s heads.
“It was just falling apart,” Dunbar said.
Yet the school was thriving despite this. Eager chil-
dren gathered around their teacher, who only had the
equivalent of a second-grade education in the U.S.,
school supplies beyond a tiny chalkboard and a stick
used to draw concepts in the dirt. It touched her heart.
“We got to meet these children, and they were pre-
cious,” Dunbar said. “They just wanted to come up,
hold your hand, walk around with you, and we just
felt this was maybe what we were meant to do.”
God’s plans
Back in the U.S., Dunbar and Jordan took the
thought they were just going to raise money to help
build a roof for the school.
But God had other plans. The building was disin-
crumble as soon as the rainy season hit. They needed
to replace the whole school, at an estimated $10,000.
was a huge amount, Dunbar said, “But our mission
team at our church decided to put our faith in God that
the money could come in and we would commit to
taking this on.”
It became a church-wide commitment. Pond
Branch member Ann Amick was one of the people
who became integrally involved in the effort—some-
thing that astonished Amick herself, who said she’d
never had an interest in international missions before.
But again, God had other plans. Soon, he would
open Amick’s eyes and heart in a way that would
transform her and the Mzuzu School Project forever.
At a presentation in church one Sunday, Dunbar
showed members a photo of a Mzuzu child holding a
pet rock and a string—his only toys in the world.
“It is the most captivating photo, and it became
almost a haunting in my heart and mind,” Amick said.
“I said ‘Let it go; there are so many people in need.’
You try to talk yourself out of it.”
But then several weeks passed, and Amick started
waking up at 3 and 4 a.m. with the Mzuzu School
Project on her mind, wondering how her church
would be able to raise that much money.
“I kept saying, ‘Lord, I’m not part of the missions
team, I don’t have to be concerned about the fundrais-
er.’ I didn’t know what in the world was happening to
me; I didn’t have a connection,” Amick said. “But that
picture of the child kept coming back into my mind.”
After several mornings, God showed Amick the
way: the church needed to have a fundraiser. They
would sell Mzuzu School Project Building Blocks in
memory of or in honor of someone.
Pond Branch meanwhile had adopted Ephesians
2:19 as their missions Scripture: “Now; therefore ye
are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citi-
zens with the saints and the household of God.”
The church understood their household extended to
Mzuzu, Amick said: “We are responsible for the little
ones—not just the neighbor, but those miles away.”
It was approaching Christmastime when the fund-
raiser was rolled out, but even Amick was surprised at
the magnitude of success. The fundraiser brought in
about $18,000—far more than Amick ever imagined.
-
fore the congregation asking,” Amick said. “The last
Sunday I was standing before them literally crying
because the goal had been met and then some.”
Evidence of God at work
It wasn’t only the building block funds that helped
the school. Children at Pond Branch got involved,
would dump into a big collection box each Sunday.
It became a learning experience, with children taking
home photos of their Mzuzu brothers and sisters.
“The children coming every Sunday with their
-
mony to everybody,” Dunbar said.
By December, they had more than double the cost
of the school construction.
Culp said the way Pond Branch stepped up to fol-
“We plant one seed and follow the dots, and every-
thing just kind of connects when you’ve got love and
faith,” Culp said. “It shows we are global Christians
helping Christians 8,000 miles from here. … I think
it’s neat that a small church in South Carolina can
make such an impact on a small community in Mzuzu.”
Bingham said evidence of God at work shone
throughout the entire process—not only the way God
spoke to Amick and the way the church responded
just after Pond Branch learned they had raised more
than two times what was needed, Bingham received
an email: there had been a devastating storm in Mzuzu
that blew the original roof off the school; could Pond
Branch send some money now?
“We believe God moved in our hearts to answer
their prayer before they lifted it: not only can we help
you, but go build it! It’s bought and paid for!” Bing-
ham said. “This is astonishing.”
Dunbar agreed: “God knew what was going to hap-
pen to that school and He’d already made provision to
take care of it.”
Greatly needed
Initial funds reached the village in mid-February,
Dunbar said Pond Branch plans to send her and Jor-
dan, now 17, to dedicate the building and celebrate
when it is complete in May. In addition to a school,
the building will also serve as a place for villagers to
worship on Sundays.
With the extra funds raised, Dunbar and the team
hope to take books and other school supplies to the
village. Eventually, they hope to fund a vacation Bible
school or other educational assistance.
“The teacher has a piece of chalk she draws on the
all she has—no desks or chairs; they all sit on the
Extra school supplies would give the teacher ad-
ditional means of working with the children, which is
greatly needed, Dunbar said. In Malawi, the education
system is limited; elementary schools are typically
the only education children receive. There are few
preschools, and when children reach age 14, they have
to pay to go to school. Most cannot afford this, so they
drop out; many girls get married after age 14.
“Getting this early education is going to be critical
for these kids,” Dunbar said.
To learn more about the Mzuzu School Project:
803-685-5707 or chd64@comporium.net.
From Gilbert to Mzuzu, with love
The village’s old school (above) was demolished during the
December rainy season.
Small rural church in S.C. steps out on faith to fund school in African village
Submitted photos
Above, the face that launched a school: This photo of a
young boy holding his only toy, a pet rock and string, in-
spired Pond Branch UMC to build a school in Malawi.

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