December 21, 2016 by The Sumter Item

IN SPORTS: Young Wilson Hall basketball teams building experience B1 PANORAMA

Crocheting is therapy for group’s addiction recovery WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

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City approves lease of South Sumter Gym BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Sumter City Council conducted a workshop concerning Community Development Block Grant funding for the fiscal year 2017-18 in a special called meeting Tuesday before its reg-

ularly scheduled meeting. Community Development Director Clarence Gaines presented a CDBG budget containing the same total as last year. The budget showed $5,000 would be removed from the demolition program and $2,000 from the home repair program. In addition, $3,000 was

removed from sewer repair and $10,000 added for historic preservation. The historic preservation funding would go to downtown businesses that wish to upgrade facades or install new signs, Gaines said. Businesses would have to provide labor and matching funds, he added.

Only at the Boykin Christmas Parade

Funding for administration, youth employment, YMCA Youth Services, Wateree Aids Task Force and Sumter United Ministries would remain unchanged under the budget Gaines presented.

SEE CITY, PAGE A6

Sheriff ’s office, volunteers deliver food to 97 families BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Officers with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and other volunteers delivered 150 bags and boxes to 97 families for the fourth-annual Senior Cpl. Elizabeth Foxworth Helping Hands Food Drive on Tuesday. Lt. Petrina Wiley, who coordinated the food drive and deliveries, said more than $780 was also raised for the food drive. The food drive is held in honor of Foxworth, who was known for helping others. Foxworth died Dec. 10, 2012. This is another year since Foxworth gained her wings, Wiley said. She said Foxworth was all about giving. It didn’t matter whatever or whenever, and she would give her children time too, she said. Alice Foxworth, Foxworth’s mother-in-law, said her daughter-in-law got her charitable spirit from her family and being around people who needed help. She was always on the phone trying to help somebody, she said. “She was an amazing gal. She really was,” Alice Foxworth said. Before the officers and volunteers, including three of Foxworth’s children, loaded the food into their vehicles and headed out, Wiley split the volunteers into teams and told them information about a few of the recipients. One person who received a

PHOTOS BY MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Above, Sheriff Jim Matthews of Kershaw County shares a message with Boykin Christmas paradegoers that anyone who steals, participates in gang activity or sells or buys drugs won’t be home for Christmas. Lots more photos on A3 and at theitem.com. Right, Sandhill Shooting Sports Outdoor Pistol and Rifle Range and the Kershaw County chapter of The Well Armed Woman warn “Don’t shoot your eye out” this Christmas. Hundreds tailgated and watched the annual Boykin Christmas Parade on Sunday in Boykin. A cannon announced the parade’s start, and a variety of participants walked, rode, galloped or ran the parade route. There were food and drinks for sale, and the rain held off until just after the parade ended. This year, in typical surprise fashion, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted the crowd from atop a giant elephant.

SEE FOOD, PAGE A6

Islamic State claims Berlin Christmas market attack BERLIN (AP) — The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Tuesday for a truck attack on a crowded Berlin Christmas market that German authorities said came right out of the extremist group’s playbook, inflicting mass casualties on a soft target fraught with symbolic meaning.

The Monday night attack on the popular market by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the heart of former West Berlin left 12 dead and 48 injured — the first mass casualty attack by Islamic extremists carried out on German soil. German security forces were still hunting for the perpetrator

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after releasing a man from custody for lack of evidence. The claim of responsibility carried on the Islamic State group’s Amaq news agency described the man seen fleeing from the truck as “a soldier of the Islamic State” who “carried out the attack in response to calls for tar-

Margaret Ann M. Vassar June Rose Wazney Hazel S. Williams James Lee Holloman William E. Glasscock Jr.

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geting citizens of the Crusader coalition.” Germany is not involved in anti-IS combat operations, but has Tornado jets and a refueling plane stationed in Turkey in support of the coalition

SEE ISIS, PAGE A6

WEATHER, A10

INSIDE

SUNNY AND WARMER

3 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES VOL. 122, NO. 48

Mostly sunny today and warmer than yesterday; tonight, partly cloudy and chilly, no chance of rain. HIGH 58, LOW 36

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STATE BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Judge sets pre-trial hearing for Roof CHARLESTON — A judge has set a hearing ahead of sentencing proceedings for the man convicted of killing nine black worshippers at a South Carolina church. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Dylann Roof on Dec. 28. A jury found Roof guilty last week of 33 federal charges, including hate crimes in the June 2015 attack at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church. The same jury will begin hearing evidence on Jan. 3 as to why prosecutors feel Roof should be executed for his crimes. The 22-year-old Roof is acting as his own lawyer during the sentencing phase. He notified the court last week in a handwritten motion he didn’t intend to introduce any evidence pertaining to his mental health. A state death penalty trial is expected next year.

Ex-deputy charged with forgery, perjury

Longtime SCDSNB employees retire FROM STAFF REPORTS Longtime employees Bessie Williams and Dorothy Johnson of Sumter County Disabilities and Special Needs Board retired after 30 years and 33 years, respectively, working in the Day Program of SCDSNB as direct support staff. Both were surprised by the board’s presenting them plaques, honoring them for their service. Williams started working with infants and children with SCDSNB in 1986 when it was located on School St.

Bessie Williams, left, and Dorothy Johnson were honored on their retirement from the Sumter County Disabilities and Special Needs Board. Both Sumter natives, they’ve worked a combined 66 years for SCDSNB.

After 10 years, she transferred to the Adult Day Program for the remainder of her career. Also in the Adult Day Program, Johnson began her career at SCDSNB in 1983 in the residential program and has spent the last eight years with the agency working in the Adult Day Program. Both work with consumers 65 years old and older. Williams and Johnson are Sumter natives. Williams is raising a niece and nephew, while Johnson is widowed with four children and seven grandchildren.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Lou-Von foundation bundling up kids Jakira Hannibel is fitted for a new coat by Michelle Wilson at Willow Drive Elementary school last Friday. The Lou-Von Family Foundation collected 150 new coats to give to the children at the school. KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

ANDERSON — State agents say a former Anderson County deputy has been arrested after he used his police credentials and forged documents to buy a truck. The State Law Enforcement Division said in a news release that 30-year-old Jake Pelfrey was arrested Monday and charged with forgery, perjury and misconduct in office. Authorities say Pelfrey used his police credentials to access state records and buy a 1999 pickup, then forged documents to make the $2,500 sale appear to have been $700. Agents say a second man involved in the scheme, 34-yearold Larry Myers, was arrested because he falsely reported the truck stolen after selling it to Pelfrey with a lien. Pelfrey resigned as a deputy Sunday. It wasn’t known if Pelfrey or Myers had attorneys.

Bond hearing Thursday for former state official COLUMBIA — A former South Carolina House majority leader will be in court this week to face misdemeanor corruption charges. Prosecutor David Pascoe announced Tuesday that a bond hearing for GOP Rep. Jim Merrill of Charleston is set for Thursday morning in Columbia. Merrill was indicted last week on two counts of misconduct in office and 28 counts of ethics violations. They marked Pascoe’s first Statehouse indictments since former Speaker Bobby Harrell pleaded guilty and resigned in 2014. Merrill is accused of illegally profiting from his position. The indictments allege his public relations and political consulting firm collected more than $1 million between 2002 and 2016 from clients who hired him because of his office. Merrill adamantly denies doing anything illegal.

Teen files rape suit against Charleston college, frat CHARLESTON (AP) — A former College of Charleston student is suing the school and a fraternity, saying she was drugged and raped at a party when she was a 17-year-old freshman. The woman went to a party in August, hosted by Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Chi Omicron chapter, when two of the fraternity’s brothers forced her into a bedroom, according to the lawsuit. The men locked the door, took off her clothes and forced her to take illegal drugs. The lawsuit says one man made her perform a sex act while the other was video recording, according to the lawsuit obtained by The Post and Courier of Charleston. The men became annoyed when the student kept resisting and left her alone on the floor, naked and crying, according to the lawsuit, which said she had to be hospitalized and receive other treatment for her injuries. Attorney Nathan Hughey said the

teen decided to sue because the fraternity and the college created an environment where this kind of assault could happen. He said she was so traumatized she dropped out of school and went back to her home in another state. “Her dreams of what her life was going to be at this point have been ruined,” Hughey said. “This is something that’s probably going to carry on with her for the rest of her life.” The two men — Timothy Seppi and James West III — were arrested. Seppi is charged with first-degree and thirddegree exploitation of a minor, while West is charged with engaging a child for sexual performance. Charleston police said more charges may be filed as investigators await the results of other tests. It wasn’t known if the men had lawyers. Three days after the teen said she was attacked, Alpha Epsilon Pi nation-

al leaders revoked the chapter’s charter and College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell announced a ban on alcohol at all Greek social functions. He said there were a number of problems, including alcohol poisoning and disruptive parties. Several other fraternities and sororities have been closed or disciplined since then. The college and the fraternity said they don’t comment on pending lawsuits. But national Alpha Epsilon Pi attorney Jim B. Ewbank did issue a statement. “Alpha Epsilon Pi has a very clear and strong policy against sexual assault, and provides education to its local chapters on this policy,” Ewbank said. “No similar allegations had been previously made about the two individuals charged with the assault, making this very disturbing incident completely unforeseeable.”

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 36 W. Liberty St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher / Advertising jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Michele Barr Rick Carpenter Business Manager Managing Editor michele@theitem.com rick@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 (803) 774-1201 Gail Mathis Jeff West Clarendon Bureau Manager Customer Service Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com jeff@theitem.com (803) 435-4716 (803) 774-1259

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More from Boykin

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

PHOTOS BY MELANIE SMITH / THE SUMTER ITEM

Santa got tired of the same old sleigh this year and recruited an elephant for the task instead during this year’s Boykin Christmas Parade on Sunday in the historic Kershaw County town. Even more photos at theitem.com.

Students from Patterson School of Dance, in Lugoff, were rockin’ around a Christmas tree during the parade.

The roles were a bit reversed on the Palmetto Wildlife Extractors float, as a gray squirrel escorted the Grinch in a cage.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

Blassingame retiring

Turkish official: Envoy’s killer unlikely to have worked alone

IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

From left, Dana Strock, executive director of Sumter Senior Services, and Neva Titus, chairman of the board, present a plaque to the Rev. James Blassingame, longtime board and staff member of the organization. Blassingame retired from the board officially during Tuesday morning’s staff meeting and breakfast. He is the pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and also serves on the board of directors of the Conference of National Black Churches.

Underwater drone seized by China returned to U.S. BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday handed back to the United States an underwater drone it had seized last week in an incident that raised tensions in a relationship that has been tested by President-elect Donald Trump’s signals of a tougher policy toward Beijing. Trump has riled the Chinese leadership by saying he might reconsider U.S.

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policy toward Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland claims as its territory. The Chinese navy vessel that seized the drone returned it near where it was seized, and it was received by the USS Mustin about 50 miles northwest of Subic Bay in the Philippines, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. Cook said Washington considered the seizure illegal.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish policeman who assassinated Russia’s ambassador was unlikely to have acted alone, a senior Turkish government official said Tuesday, as investigators from both countries hunted for clues as to who might have been behind the killing. Russian investigators on Tuesday inspected the art gallery in the Turkish capital of Ankara where Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot dead Monday evening by Mevlut Mert Altintas. The 22-year-old gunman, a member of Ankara’s riot police squad, had shouted slogans about the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo as he killed the envoy. Russia’s entrance into Syria’s war helped turn the tide of the conflict and heralded a series of victories for government forces. Up until a few months ago, the Russian military was bombing rebel positions in Aleppo. The senior government official described the killing as “fully professional, not a oneman action” and said the attack was well-planned. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because he was not authorized to release details to the press. Turkish authorities have not publicly released any information on the investigation or on a possible motive for the policeman. Still, Turkish police have detained seven people in connection with the gunman: his parents, sister, three other relatives and his roommate in Ankara, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the news agency, Altintas took leave from work and on Dec. 14 made a hotel reservation near the art exhibition center. He arrived at the hotel on Monday. Police searched his hotel room, which was later sealed. Karlov’s body was flown home to Moscow on Tuesday afternoon after an emotional ceremony at Ankara Airport attend-

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Members of a Turkish forces honor guard carry the Russian flagdraped coffin of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov who was assassinated Monday, as an officer, foreground, holds his picture during a ceremony on Tuesday at the airport in Ankara, Turkey. ed by Turkish government officials and diplomats. Karlov’s wife, Marina Karlova, wept as her husband’s flag-draped coffin was carried by a Turkish honor guard. She laid two red carnations on the coffin. “Ambassador Karlov has become the eternal symbol of Turkish-Russian friendship,” Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes said at the ceremony. Turkey and Russia, which have backed opposing sides in the Syrian war, vowed not to

let the killing disrupt efforts to repair their ties. “Strong relations will continue, no one has the strength to destroy the relationship” between the two countries, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he spoke by phone Monday night, were “in agreement that this was an open provocation.”

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ISIS FROM PAGE A1

CITY FROM PAGE A1

fighting militants in Syria, as well as a frigate protecting a French aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean, among other assets. The claim of responsibility came not long after German prosecutors said they had released a man picked up near the scene of the attack, initially suspected of driving the truck. The man, a Pakistani citizen who came to Germany last year, was taken into custody based on a description from witnesses of a suspect who jumped out of the truck and fled after the attack. Even before his release, officials had expressed doubt the man was behind the attack. “We may still have a dangerous criminal out there,” warned Berlin police chief Klaus Kandt, whose office urged people to be “particularly vigilant” and report “suspicious movement” using a special hotline. Though Germany had not seen any successful mass-casualty Islamic extremist attacks until Monday, attempts and recent attacks in neighboring France and Belgium had made many feel it was inevitable. “We’ve all been prepared that something like this could happen, so we were not surprised,” said economics student Maximilian Much. The 24-year-old Berliner said the attack hit home because he’d often visited the Christmas mar-

During the regular meeting, council recognized employees with 20, 25 and 30 years of service and received a briefing from a representative of Duke Energy Progress regarding the Neighborhood Energy Saver Program. Program Manager Evan Taylor said Duke Energy teams will be targeting an area in South Sumter to better help customers manage energy use. Teams from Duke Energy will go to people’s homes to make an energy assessment and install energy-saving devices, such as light bulbs, water heater wraps, low-flow shower heads and weather stripping, all at no cost to the customers. The teams would also provide tips and educate the customers on how to save energy, he said. Taylor said residents of the targeted neighborhood will be invited to a kickoff banquet Jan. 19 to inform them how they can participate in the program. Council gave approval to a final reading of an ordinance rezoning three parcels totaling 1.56 acres at 351 Pinewood Road, 1981 and 1983 McCrays Mill Road from Planned Development to General Commercial as well as to the final reading of an ordinance authorizing the lease of South Sumter Gym to Salvation Army for a boys and girls club. Council voted to continue to meet at 5:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month in 2017, except there will be no meeting on July 4. Council also accepted and adopted a list of names from the State Election Commission, which will be used to randomly select Municipal Court jurors during the coming year. The first reading of an ordinance to adopt the CDBG budget for 2016-17 and to sell a 1.06-acre portion of property at 2510 Tahoe Drive were passed, as well as resolutions authorizing the purchase of six trash trailers and a shuttle truck for the Public Services Department.

FOOD FROM PAGE A1 food package on Tuesday was a 103-year-old woman. She reads all the time, Wiley said. And you must let her pray over you, she said. Remember the spirit of Christmas, Wiley said, before dismissing the volunteers. Don’t stand in judgment because the houses may look nice on the outside with nice cars, but you never know the condition on the inside, she said. You’re really about to change someone’s day or someone’s life, she said. While delivering the food, Wiley; Amber Foxworth, Foxworth’s daughter; and officer Shelvia Gaymon with SumterLee Regional Detention Center were greeted with hugs at each house. After delivering all of their bags, Wiley and Gaymon talked about how it felt to help people in the community in another capacity while still in uniform. Wiley said some of the families visited on Tuesday look forward to the donations every year and were waiting in anticipation this year. People don’t realize how humbling it is to give to someone else, she said. It doesn’t take much to make them

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A police officer positions concrete blocks at an entrance to the Striezelmarkt Christmas market in Dresden, eastern Germany, on Tuesday after a truck ran into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin the evening before and killed 12 people. Read the full story at theitem.com. ket with his girlfriend, but that he wouldn’t let himself be led by emotion. “I’m not going to change my life style now,” he said. “The chances that I get killed in a car or bike accident are bigger.” Germany’s top prosecutor, Peter Frank, told reporters the attack on the popular market was reminiscent of July’s deadly truck rampage in Nice and appeared to follow instructions published by the Islamic State group. “There is also the prominent and symbolic target of a Christmas market, and the modus operandi that mirrors at least past calls by jihadi terror organiza-

smile, she said. “When you take the time out, it’s amazing what you learn,” Wiley said. The three volunteers said their experiences and delivering food to families have put their worries into perspective. Gaymon mentioned that at one point she wanted to redecorate her bedroom but later heard from a young woman who did not have a bed to sleep on. It makes you think about what you have, she said. Gaymon said she remembers delivering food to a couple last year and seeing the appreciative look on the mother’s face. It’s a blessing, she said.

tions,” Frank said. In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the attack “bears the hallmarks of previous terror attacks,” but said U.S. officials didn’t have enough information to back up the IS claim of responsibility. “There is no direct evidence of a tie or a link to a terrorist organization,” he said. The man arrested near the scene denied any involvement in the attack. Under German law, prosecutors have until the end of a calendar day following an arrest to seek a formal arrest warrant. keeping a suspect in custody.

From left, Lance Foxworth and Amber Foxworth, children of the late Senior Cpl. Elizabeth Foxworth, along with Alice Foxworth, deputy Foxworth’s mother-in-law, sit during a briefing before delivering food to families for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Helping Hands Food Drive on Tuesday. Deputy Foxworth’s other son, Bryce Foxworth, not pictured, also volunteered in Tuesday’s effort. The food drive is held in honor of Senior Cpl. Foxworth, who died in 2012. PHOTO PROVIDED

Amber said she was honored that the sheriff’s office remembers her mother with

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THE SUMTER ITEM N.G. Osteen 1843-1936 The Watchman and Southron

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

Margaret W. Osteen 1908-1996 The Item Hubert D. Osteen Jr. Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Graham Osteen Co-President Kyle Osteen Co-President Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Larry Miller CEO Rick Carpenter Managing Editor

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COMMENTARY

Inclusiveness and diversity S

ometimes it seems as if every other word from the mouths of academicians is ‘’inclusiveness’’ or ‘’diversity.’’ How sincere and truthful are these people about their ‘’inclusiveness and diversity’’ religion? Suppose a group of engineering students do not want to include black or Mexican students in their study group. Should they be permitted to have freedom of association or restrained from freely associating? The true test of one’s commitment to freedom of association does not come when he permits people to be free to associate in those voluntary ways he deems appropriate. The true test comes when he permits people to associate in ways he deems offensive. I suspect that most academics believe that people should be permitted to associate only in ways they deem appropriate. This is no less than totalitarianism. What about inclusiveness in dating? Would academics criticize people who expressed a desire to date only people of their own race? Would they criticize people who openly refused to date someone of the same sex? Would the ‘’inclusiveness and diversity’’ people condemn or sanction samerace marriages? In other words, what limits would they impose to bring about inclusiveness and diversity? Some might argue that when it comes to marriage, non-inclusiveness and lack of diversity are of little social consequence. That claim is pure nonsense. When there is assortative (non-random) mate selection, it heightens whatever group differences there are in the population. When high-IQ people marry other high-IQ people and when high-income people marry other high-income people, this non-inclusiveness in mate selection enhances the inequality in the population’s intelligence and income distribution. In other words, there would be greater income equality if high-income people mated with lowincome people. And to the extent that there is a racial correlation between these characteristics, there would be greater equality if white people mated with black people. But I imagine that most people, even academics, would be horrified by the suggestion of a mandate to require non-assortative mating. What about diversity in academia? It’s not at all uncommon to watch a college basketball game and see that 90 to 100

percent of the starting five players are black. Most of a team’s white players are sidelined and warming the bench. Walter College basWilliams ketball — and, for that matter, college football — looks nothing like America. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport’s ‘’2015 Racial and Gender Report Card: College Sport’’ gives us the numbers. Blacks make up about 14 percent of the college population, but in Division I, 55.6 percent of basketball players and 43.6 percent of football players are black. Whites are 27 percent and 43.1 percent, respectively. One can only look upon Asians with profound sadness, for they are only 0.4 percent of college basketball players and 2 percent of football players. Latinos have been boxed out, as well. The lack of diversity, inclusiveness and proportionality in professional basketball and football is much worse. Blacks are about 74 percent of NBA players and about 69 percent of NFL players. This diversity injustice is aggravated by the fact that among the highest-paid players, blacks represent bigger percentages. One can understand the lack of concern for diversity in professional sports, where it’s just about money. But one is left flummoxed by the lack of diversity in college sports. After all, you can’t listen to any college president or provost speak for more than a few minutes without hearing the word ‘’diversity’’ or ‘’inclusiveness’’ drop from his lips. Colleges spend hundreds of millions of dollars on diversity. MIT has a manager of diversity recruitment; Toledo University has an associate dean of diversity; Harvard, Texas A&M, the University of Virginia, the University of California, Berkeley and many others boast of officers, deans, vice presidents and perhaps ministers of diversity. But in what appears to be the height of deviousness and deceit, these administrators allow sports, the most visible part of most colleges, to be the least diverse and least inclusive. One has to wonder just how serious academicians are about diversity and inclusion. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2016 creators.com

COMMENTARY

Need a perfect stocking stuffer? Try a flightless bird This column first appeared on Sunday, Dec. 4, 1988.

very time the little reminder appears in the newspaper counting down the shopping days until Christmas, the anxiety attacks begin. Some people are organized. They do their Christmas shopping months ahead and are virtually complete by the time the Yuletide rolls around. As for the rest of Hubert D. us stiffs Osteen Jr. who can’t seem to make up our minds what to buy, much less when or where to buy it, the task is much more formidable. We — and I include myself in the group — find it difficult to get rolling, and as the little reminders keep appearing, day after day, our panic intensifies. It doesn’t get any easier with the avalanche of catalogs showing up in the mailbox every day. Some of these catalogs make good reading because of the unusual gifts they offer, not to mention the clever appeals to purchase these gifts. One of the most unusual catalogs I’ve received this year was filled with pink flamingo-motif gifts. The entire catalog. There was,

‘Let’s face it: Buying just the right gift for the person who has everything is becoming tougher and tougher. The search for something distinctive to put under the Christmas tree goes on. When all else fails, maybe the pink flamingo route is the ticket.’ of course, the basic pink plastic flamingos, standing on 21-inch steel legs. As the copy notes in the catalog: “Anyone can leave Christmas lights up all year or trim hedges in the shape of munchkins. But it takes style and guts to turn your lawn into a plastic pink flamingo refuge.” As for the usefulness of these flamingos, the copy writer notes: “They’ve been rumored to scare away dogs, small children and door-to-door salesmen. Stick ‘em in your yard or run midnight raids and stick ‘em in yards of neighbors you

wish weren’t.” For those who can do without the pink plastic beauties, there are more tasteful flamingos, such as the palm and flamingo pin made of enamel and rhinestone. Wear it proudly on your lapel. Other selections include flamingo doormats, stools, coffee mugs, ties, boxer shorts, letter openers, salt and pepper shakers, towels, bath rugs, toilet paper, earrings, neckties — you name it. I believe the idea is to sell the consumer on the notion that pink flamingos are so tacky they’re chic. Heck, why not? People were buying pet rocks a few years back. And remember Nehru jackets, bell-bottoms and leisure suits? The latter has become de rigueur for tacky parties, along with beads and two-tone shoes. Tacky is in the eye of the beholder. Pink flamingos are as indigenous to the South as barbecue and stock car races. You want pink flamingos in your yard? Feel free. Let’s face it: Buying just the right gift for the person who has everything is becoming tougher and tougher. The search for something distinctive to put under the Christmas tree goes on. When all else fails, maybe the pink flamingo route is the ticket. If not, there’s always the James Dean watch. Who needs the Neiman-Marcus catalog anyway?

Newspapers continue to deliver across all age brackets BY NIELSEN REPORTS Nielsen.com

ver hear the phrase “print is dead”? Well if you check with almost 170 million Americans, they’d tell you that nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, a recent Nielsen Scarborough study found that more than 169 million adults in the U.S. read a newspaper in a month —whether it be in print, on a website or via mobile app. In total, newspapers reach 69% of the U.S. population in a given month. Newspapers remain largely a print medium, but the dramatic growth in digital media in recent years has compelled newspaper publishers to rethink their distribution models and become multi-platform content providers.

According to the recent study, 81% of monthly newspaper readers engage with the print product, with 51% reading print exclusively. The remaining 49% reads a newspaper on at least one digital platform, with 30% reading both digital and print. Traditionally, newspaper audiences have been more educated, affluent and older than non-newspaper readers. As digital media have gained in prominence, newspapers have attracted younger readers. Newspaper readers are still educated and affluent, but their ages are more reflective of the general population than they have been in the past. For example, 13% of the U.S. population is 70 or older, and this age group now accounts for 15% of the total monthly newspaper audience.

Compared to previous decades, younger readers now account for a greater percentage of newspaper readers. Notably, Millennials 21-34 make up 25% of the U.S. population and now represent 24% of the total monthly newspaper readership. Based on the shift in age of the newspaper reader, it’s clear that the newspaper industry’s adoption of digital distribution has allowed it to reach adults of all ages. Despite their growing appeal among younger readers through digital channels, newspapers still maintain an educated and affluent audience. Readers, whether print or digital, are still more likely to be college graduates and have annual household incomes over $100,000 than non-readers. And by broadening their distribution to digital

channels, many newspapers have attracted digital readers, who represent an even more affluent and educated segment of readers. In fact, digital newspaper paper readers are 49% more likely than the general adult population to be a college graduate and 43% more likely to have household incomes over $100,000. There’s no doubt that the newspaper industry has seen its fair share of change and evolution over the past decade or so, some of which has resulted in a loss of confidence from agencies, marketers and even researchers. But based on the recent Nielsen Scarborough survey, it’s clear that newspapers remain a thriving and viable medium, and they continue to engage a larger portion of younger, affluent readers.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Will Trump live up to infrastructure promise? WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not at all clear that Presidentelect Donald Trump’s plans to spend massively on infrastructure are going to unfold as he promised. Trump made rebuilding the nation’s aging roads, bridges and airports very much part of his job-creation strategy in the presidential race. But lately lobbyists have begun to fear that there won’t be an infrastructure proposal at all, or at least not the grand plan they’d been led to expect. From the day he entered the presidential race to the moment he declared victory, Trump pledged an infrastructure renewal. He cited decaying bridges, potholed roads and airports like New York’s LaGuardia that he said reminded him of the “third world.” Trump or his campaign also mentioned schools, hospitals, pipelines, water treatment plants and the electrical grid as part of a job-creation strategy that would make the U.S. “second to none.” It was a rare area in which House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats hoped for common ground with the

president-elect. The possibility of a major infrastructure spending plan is one of several factors that have fueled the recent run-up in stock prices. But did he mean it? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tried to tamp down expectations last week, telling reporters he wants to avoid “a $1 trillion stimulus.” And Reince Priebus, who will be Trump’s chief of staff, said in a radio interview that the new administration will focus in its first nine months with other issues, such as health care and rewriting tax laws. He sidestepped questions about the infrastructure plan. In a post-election interview with The New York Times, Trump himself seemed to back away, saying infrastructure won’t be a “core” part of the first few years of his administration. But he said there will still be “a very large-scale infrastructure bill.” Since the election, Trump has backed away — or at least suggested flexibility — on a range of issues that energized his supporters during the

AP FILE PHOTO

A worker lifts materials in November as construction continues on a new roadway deck of the Bayonne Bridge in Bayonne, New Jersey. campaign, including his promises to prosecute Hillary Clinton, pull out of the Paris climate change accord and reinstitute waterboarding for detainees. Trump transition officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The mixed signals on infrastructure have lobbyists and lawmakers puzzled. “We’re worried,” said Brian Turmail, a spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America, which repre-

sents more than 26,000 construction companies and 10,500 service providers and suppliers. “Are we hearing signs that people just don’t know what the plan is?” he asked. “Or signs that people don’t want any kind of plan? We don’t know the answer.” Lobbyists have responded by flooding the Trump transition team with briefing memos, lining up meetings and privately pitching their proposals to what they hope

will be a more receptive Congress. Trade associations are urging their local members to seek out their senators and House members while they’re home for the holidays. Leaders of the U.S. Conference of Mayors emphasized their support for an infrastructure program in a recent meeting with Trump and urged him to protect the municipal bond tax exemption, one of the primary ways localities raise money for projects. Trump’s campaign pitch for infrastructure improvements included few details. A paper circulated after the election recommends using $137 billion in federal tax credits to generate $1 trillion in privatesector infrastructure investment over a decade. To offset the cost of the credits, U.S. corporations would be encouraged to bring home profits that they have parked overseas to avoid taxes, in exchange for a lower tax rate. But private investors are typically interested only in projects that create revenue, such as tolls, so that they can recoup their investments.

Man in jail for killing Jordan’s dad makes misconduct claim RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Lawyers for a man in prison for killing basketball star Michael Jordan’s father 23 years ago say they found more evidence of police misconduct that clears him in the shooting.

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Green admitted helping dispose of James Jordan’s body after the July 1993 killing, but says he wasn’t around when co-defendant Larry Demery shot him. Demery testified against Green in a plea deal.

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Lawyers for 42-year-old Daniel Green say Sheriff Hubert Stone didn’t want the Jordan investigation to entangle his son, so the sheriff steered authorities toward investigating the crime as a carjacking.

Court documents obtained by the News & Observer of Raleigh say a phone call from James Jordan’s cellphone after he was killed was made to the son of the Robeson County sheriff, who was dealing drugs.

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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE BANKS — SAFE Federal Credit Union and All South Credit Union will be closed Schedule: on Saturday, Dec. and Christmas Holiday Dec. 21, 24, 2016 Monday, Dec. 26. The following will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26: Bank of Clarendon; BB&T; First Citizens; The Citizens Bank; Wells Fargo; NBSC; and Bank of America. GOVERNMENT — The following will be closed FridayTuesday, Dec. 23-27: state government offices; City of Sumter offices; Sumter County offices; Clarendon County offices; City of Manning offices; Lee County offices; and City of Bishopville offices. Federal government offices and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed Monday, Dec. 26. SCHOOLS — The following will be closed through Friday, Dec. 30, with students returning on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017: Sumter School District; Clarendon School District 3; Lee County Public Schools; Robert E. Lee Academy; and St. Anne & St. Jude Catholic School. The following will be closed through Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, with students returning on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017: Clarendon School Districts 1 and 2; Thomas Sumter Academy; Wilson Hall; St. Francis Xavier High School; Laurence Manning Academy; Clarendon Hall; and Sumter Christian School. UTILITIES — Black River Electric Coop. will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26. Farmers Telephone Coop. will be closed Monday, Dec. 26. OTHER — The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce will be closed the week of Dec. 26-30. Clemson Extension Service will be closed the week of Dec. 26-30. The Harvin Clarendon County Library will be closed Friday-Tuesday, Dec. 23-27. The Sumter County Library will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26. All offices of The Sumter Item will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26.

DAILY PLANNER

WEATHER TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny and warmer

Partly cloudy

Clouds and sunshine

Mostly sunny and cooler

Cloudy

Pleasant with clouds and sun

58°

36°

64° / 36°

53° / 39°

60° / 44°

65° / 48°

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 10%

Chance of rain: 0%

Chance of rain: 25%

ENE 2-4 mph

SSW 2-4 mph

SW 6-12 mph

ENE 6-12 mph

NNW 3-6 mph

NNE 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

PUBLIC AGENDA

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make love a EUGENIA LAST priority. Take time out of your busy schedule to do something nice for someone in need. A change at work will leave you in a quandary about what to do next. Don’t fret. Explore new possibilities. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Offer to help a cause you believe in. Your insight and desire to do something nice for others will boost your reputation. Travel plans should be made ahead of time. A change to your routine can be expected. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Things are looking up. Do some lastminute shopping and you’ll find a bargain in the perfect gift to give to someone you love. Incorporate new skills and experiences into your job. Romance is in the stars. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotions will surface when it comes to matters concerning children, domestic issues or lastminute spending. Stick close to home and avoid getting caught up in situations that can leave you short of funds. Choose brains over brawn. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You can get some serious chores out of the way. Last-minute shopping, making travel arrangements or getting together with someone you want to see before the year ends are all recommended. Romance is encouraged. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make a point to change your look or do something that will add to your popularity. A year-end bonus or positive change in your financial situation looks promising, but will require you to handle your money matters wisely.

Greenville 58/39

Columbia 59/36

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 58/36

Aiken 57/36

ON THE COAST

Charleston 60/36

Today: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 56 to 60. Thursday: Clouds and sun. High 60 to 66.

45° 36° 55° 33° 80° in 1967 17° in 1981 0.08" 3.87" 2.05" 49.12" 58.18" 45.78"

NATIONAL CITIES City Atlanta Chicago Dallas Detroit Houston Los Angeles New Orleans New York Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC

Today Hi/Lo/W 61/47/s 33/24/c 63/36/s 31/27/c 68/52/pc 78/55/s 65/53/pc 43/34/pc 72/55/pc 45/30/pc 72/57/pc 59/44/s 48/35/s

LAKE LEVELS Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest. 354.21 74.00 74.07 98.41

24-hr chg +0.27 +0.02 +0.06 -0.07

RIVER STAGES

Precipitation 24 hrs ending 4 p.m. yest. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 62/40/pc 32/18/pc 51/37/pc 36/20/pc 67/49/pc 74/53/c 65/52/pc 44/34/c 78/58/pc 47/31/pc 67/55/r 58/45/s 52/32/pc

Myrtle Beach 57/37

Manning 58/34

Today: Mostly sunny. Winds south-southeast 4-8 mph. Partly cloudy. Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sun. Winds west-northwest 6-12 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 58/33

Bishopville 58/35

River Black River Congaree River Lynches River Saluda River Up. Santee River Wateree River

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 9.47 -0.01 19 3.00 none 14 8.20 +0.37 14 3.63 +0.78 80 75.20 +0.02 24 4.28 -0.26

Sunrise 7:23 a.m. Moonrise 12:26 a.m.

Sunset 5:17 p.m. Moonset 12:49 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 29

Jan. 5

Jan. 12

Jan. 19

TIDES AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 2:50 a.m. 2:57 p.m. 3:45 a.m. 3:49 p.m.

Ht. 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.6

Low 9:32 a.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:31 a.m. 10:51 p.m.

Ht. 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4

REGIONAL CITIES City Asheville Athens Augusta Beaufort Cape Hatteras Charleston Charlotte Clemson Columbia Darlington Elizabeth City Elizabethtown Fayetteville

Today Hi/Lo/W 56/34/s 60/40/s 60/37/s 60/39/s 54/46/s 60/36/s 57/36/s 60/43/s 59/36/s 58/34/s 53/32/s 57/31/s 56/34/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 56/25/pc 63/36/pc 67/39/pc 66/43/pc 59/43/pc 66/41/pc 61/33/pc 65/38/pc 65/37/pc 62/36/pc 57/32/pc 60/34/pc 59/34/pc

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 58/33/s Gainesville 69/43/pc Gastonia 57/35/s Goldsboro 55/33/s Goose Creek 59/34/s Greensboro 55/35/s Greenville 58/39/s Hickory 56/34/s Hilton Head 59/40/s Jacksonville, FL 64/40/pc La Grange 63/46/s Macon 62/41/s Marietta 59/45/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 63/36/pc 74/51/pc 61/32/pc 57/33/pc 65/41/pc 58/29/pc 63/34/pc 59/29/pc 64/46/pc 71/50/pc 64/41/pc 66/41/pc 60/38/pc

City Marion Mt. Pleasant Myrtle Beach Orangeburg Port Royal Raleigh Rock Hill Rockingham Savannah Spartanburg Summerville Wilmington Winston-Salem

Today Hi/Lo/W 57/33/s 59/38/s 57/37/s 59/36/s 59/39/s 56/33/s 58/35/s 56/31/s 61/38/s 58/38/s 59/34/s 57/33/s 55/35/s

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 59/25/pc 64/44/pc 61/40/pc 63/39/pc 65/46/pc 59/30/pc 61/32/pc 61/31/pc 67/44/pc 62/33/pc 64/40/pc 60/35/pc 58/29/pc

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow ﬂurries, sn–snow, i–ice

Santa Shops Here!

Brown’s

“Where Quality Matters”

SUMTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 32 E. Calhoun St.

The last word in astrology

Gaﬀney 57/35 Spartanburg 58/38

Temperatures shown on map are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

experience is needed. VolunPalmetto Health Tuomey Hosteers only need to have minpice is in need of volunteers. A Are you looking for volunteer opportu- experience imum computer hospice volunteer applicaand the desire to help local tion nities? can be found online at taxpayers. Volunteer at www.palmettohealth.org/ www.aarpfoundation.org/ giving/volunteer-programs/ taxaide. Call Ms. King at homecare-and-hospice vol(803) 316-0772 if you have unteers . Hospice volunteers questions. are an integral part of the Palmetto Health Tuomey Make-A-Wish South Carolina is Hospice team. Medicare reseeking volunteers to help quires 5 percent of the total make wishes come true for patients care hours of all children across the state. Bipaid hospice employees be lingual volunteers are espeprovided by volunteers. Volcially needed. Interest webiunteers are needed for both nars are offered at 6:30 p.m. direct patient care and adon the second Wednesday of ministrative duties. If you each month. Preregistration can provide support, respite, is required. Contact Brennan companionship, friendship, Brown at bbrown@sc.wish. acts of kindness, file, anorg or (864) 250-0702 extenswer the phone, do data sion 112 to register or begin entry, or mailings to famithe application process. lies, please consider caring Agape Hospice is in need of volfor one patient by giving unteers. Whether your pasyour time, talents, or gifts of sion is baking, knitting, kindness. Call the Rev. B.J. reading, singing, etc., Agape Drayton at (803) 773-4663. Hospice can find a place for Sumter County AARP Foundayou. Contact Thandi Blandtion Tax-Aide is in need of voling at (803) 774-1075, (803) unteers for the upcoming tax 260-3876 or tblanding@ season. No tax preparation agapsenior.com.

AccuWeather® ﬁve-day forecast for Sumter

LOCAL ALMANAC

FYI

THE SUMTER ITEM

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Emotions will rise to the surface, causing anxiety. Stay focused on what’s important and move forward quickly. The changes you want to bring about can only be accomplished if you don’t let lastminute developments alter your course. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Your skills are likely to be called upon by someone using emotional manipulation. Be aware of ulterior motives and only offer what you feel is fair. Look out for your own interests. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen carefully and observe what others do before you respond. Overreacting will not help you gain respect or improve your position. Keep indulgence to a minimum at industry events. Choose to be a help, not a hindrance. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll face problems while dealing with authority figures or while traveling. Don’t take anything for granted. Making do with what you’ve got will speak volumes about your character. Pay more attention to the way you look.

FURNITURE & BEDDING

31 West Wesmark Blvd • Sumter, SC • 774-2100

SUMTER ANIMAL CONTROL PET OF THE WEEK This little sweetheart is Emmie. A petite girl of only 12 pounds, she is approximately 2 years old. is a with petite EmmieEmmie gets along other sweetheart dogs. She would love a home with a person of her own to snuggle. Emmie has been waiting patiently for someone to see the magic in her soul and take her home. Could it be you? Please don’t overlook this little girl in kennel 27 at Sumter Animal Control, 1240 Winkles Road, (803) 436-2066. Emmie will make someone very happy. Thank you for considering a homeless animal. Please view our Facebook page for other lost / adoptable dogs.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refuse to let anyone in an authoritative position bully you. Stand your ground and only do what is within your means. An unusual offer from someone you least expect will help you out financially. Romance is highlighted. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Nurture important relationships. Don’t limit what you can do because you feel obligated to put others first. Be sure to take care of the little things and try not to overspend on spurof-the-moment purchases.

HAVE YOU TAKEN PICTURES OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL OR HISTORICAL PLACES? Would you like to share those images with your fellow Sumter Item readers? E-mail your hi-resolution jpegs to sandra@theitem.com, or mail to Sandra Holbert c/o The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29150. Include clearly printed or typed name of photographer and photo details. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your photo. Amateur photographers only please. Photos of poor reproduction quality may not publish. With the exception of pictures that are of a timely nature, submitted photos will publish in the order in which they are received.

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

PRO FOOTBALL

Panthers turn back clock in rout of Redskins BY DAVID GINSBURG The Associated Press LANDOVER, Md. — Cam Newton threw for 300 yards, Carolina’s running game was overwhelmingly effective and an aggressive defense forced three turnovers. It was just like last year for the Panthers. Unfortunately for Carolina, there almost NEWTON certainly will be no Super Bowl at the end of the season for the defending NFC champions. Though the Panthers did just about everything right Monday night in a 26-15 win over the Washington Redskins, it’s been a rough encore for a team that went 15-1 before breezing into the Super Bowl. Carolina (6-8) has battled through injuries, free-agent defections and inexperience at key positions. On Monday night, the Panthers showed just how good they can be when performing to their potential. “For us, our challenge all year has been playing a complete game,” Newton said. Battered, bruised and weary from a season’s worth of hard hits, the agile quarterback showed his frustration when he tossed the ball at Washington’s Trent Murphy on a play in the second quarter. Newton was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after Murphy roughed him up a bit as he was sliding to the ground. “I’ve got to be better than that,” Newton said.

SEE PANTHERS, PAGE B5

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Plenty at stake as USC, Clemson renew rivalry BY DAVID CLONINGER The State COLUMBIA — He’s from Toronto, so he could be excused for not knowing. He found out about The Rivalry. Quickly. “We lost my freshman year and we came back, and it was just an unbelievable feeling from the fans,” South Carolina senior Duane Notice said. “I thought it MARTIN was just a regular game, a regular loss, but the way their fans made it seem, and the trolling on social media, to the way our fans felt for BROWNELL losing, it made me kind of feel like I was a part of the whole rivalry.” The out-of-towners usually chime the same tone. They’re on campus around five minutes before they hear, “Beat Clemson.” When they first see those orange jerseys on the other side, they understand how important it is not to lose. Championships are great, but leaving USC having never lost to the Tigers? They’ll build a statue of you. The homegrown kids, especially ones raised in a Gamecock family, try to express it to

SEE RIVALRY, PAGE B5

PREP BASKETBALL

Learning curve Young Wilson Hall squad gaining much-needed experience as region schedule looms after break BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com A year ago, head coach Eddie Talley had four returning starters from a Wilson Hall boys basketball squad that made it all the way to the SCISA 3A state semifinals. This year, he has four returning varsity players — period. The Barons went 15-11 and made the 3A quarterfinals last season, but only Drew Talley returns from the starting lineup and is one of only three seniors on a young WH squad. “We had a lot of question marks,” Coach Talley said. “A lot of new faces out there. We’ve also gone through some injuries, so it’s been a tough start, but I’m pleased with the progress that we’re making. “But we’re going to have to get a lot better to finish where we want to be at.” The Barons are 6-3 on the year and have another tough slate of non-region games during the next two weeks before region play begins. That will give the young team muchneeded experience, the elder Talley said. “Nothing beats varsity experience,” he said. “We’re taking things slow, but we’re learning. We’re still a work in progress, but I’m hoping in February all this experience is going to pay off for them.” Still, WH has big shoes to fill with the departures of Brent Carraway, Sam Watford and Grier Schwartz among others. Junior Daulton Dabbs had been playing well as the new point guard until an injury forced him to miss the last four games. Sophomore Chandler Scott has been handling duties in the meantime. Easton Ward saw playing time last year and has stepped into one of those starting roles beside fellow senior Drew Talley. Sophomore Grant DeVarona has taken over one of the guard positions and had solid games thus far, Coach Talley SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO said. Juniors Greyson Sonntag Sophomore Chandler Scott, center, is one of the younger players that has filled a significant role for and Jacob Cotton are also in

the Wilson Hall boys basketball team this year as the Barons had to replace four starters and returned just four varsity-level players total from last season.

SEE CURVE, PAGE B3

Lady Barons off to a solid start with new starting five BY JUSTIN DRIGGERS justin@theitem.com Glen Rector entered last season with the task of replacing all but one starter for the Wilson Hall varsity girls basketball team. His squad went 17-10, reaching the quarterfinals of the SCISA 3A state tournament. However, this year’s team won’t get to build off of that experience as the Lady Barons have had to rebuild again with a new starting five. “Obviously the biggest thing we’re lacking is experience,” Rector said. “We graduated five starters, which also meant most of our scoring. We’ve started three sophomores at times this year, and while they were all on varsity last year, they may not have had as much experience in close-game situations. “So we’re lacking game experience.” The Lady Barons have started to change that, however, as they sit at 7-3 entering the Christmas break. Wilson Hall has two weeks of tough games remaining against Calhoun Academy, Porter-Gaud, Ham-

mond and Thomas Sumter Academy before beginning SCISA Region II-3A play. “I think the biggest challenge moving forward is just finding where our points are going to come from during a game,” Rector said. “Last year we had a pretty good balance between inside and outside scoring; in fact, our guards let the team in scoring. “This year, we’ve had several different players who’ve led us in scoring.” One of those is junior guard Courtney Clark, who was moved from the forward position to a guard along with sophomore Cameron Duffy. Clark is averaging 9.7 points and 4.6 rebounds -- both team highs. “They’re both very good at about a 15-foot jump shot,” Rector said. “So by pulling them out, it’s given us more outside shooting.” Sophomore shooting guard Susanna Hutson, who has been injured the last few games, is next with 8.3 points a game and has made 13 3-point baskets this season.

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Wilson Hall’s Mary Daniel Stokes, left, is one of the few upperclassmen on a young Lady Barons’ squad that has had to replace all five starters from a year ago as the team looks to SEE BARONS, PAGE B3 round into form by the time region play begins in late January.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

SCOREBOARD TV, RADIO TODAY

2 p.m. – International Soccer: Bundesliga League Match – Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich (FOX SPORTS 1). 2 p.m. – International Soccer: Bundesliga League Match – Bayer Leverkusen vs. Cologne (FOX SPORTS 2). 6 p.m. – College Basketball: Birthday of Basketball Classic from Uncasville, Conn. – Boston College vs. Fairfield (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 6 p.m. – College Basketball: Elon vs. Duke from Greensboro, N.C. (ESPN2). 6:05 p.m. – Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240). 6:30 p.m. – College Basketball: American at Villanova (FOX SPORTS 1). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville (ESPN). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Illinois vs. Missouri from St. Louis (ESPNU). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: St. John’s at Syracuse (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 7 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Milwaukee at Cleveland (NBA TV). 7 p.m. – College Basketball: Arkansas-Little Rock at Florida (SEC NETWORK). 8 p.m. – College Basketball: Northern Iowa at North Carolina (ESPN2). 8 p.m. – NHL Hockey: Washington at Philadelphia (NBC SPORTS NETWORK). 8 p.m. – College Basketball: Liberty at Houston (TIME WARNER 1250). 8:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Birthday of Basketball Classic from Uncasville, Conn. – Oklahoma vs. Auburn (CBS SPORTS NETWORK). 8:30 p.m. – College Basketball: Southern Illinois (Edwardsville) at Marquette (FOX SPORTS 1). 9 p.m. – College Football: Poinsettia Bowl from San Diego – Brigham Young vs. Wyoming (ESPN). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Clemson at South Carolina (ESPNU, WWBD-FM 94.7, WPUB-FM 102.7, WDXY-FM 105.9, WNKT-FM 107.5, WDXY-AM 1240). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Bradley at Texas Christian (FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Vermont at Butler (FOX SPORTSOUTH). 9 p.m. – College Basketball: Arkansas State vs. Alabama from Huntsville, Ala. (SEC NETWORK). 10 p.m. – College Basketball: Virginia at California (ESPN2). 10 p.m. – NBA Basketball: Dallas at Portland (NBA TV). 11 p.m. – College Basketball: Kent State at Oregon State (ESPNU).

NFL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN CONFERENCE EAST W L T Pct PF PA y-New England 12 2 0 .857 365 233 Miami 9 5 0 .643 315 314 Buffalo 7 7 0 .500 358 314 N.Y. Jets 4 10 0 .286 242 358 SOUTH W L T Pct PF PA Houston 8 6 0 .571 250 294 Tennessee 8 6 0 .571 340 323 Indianapolis 7 7 0 .500 362 339 Jacksonville 2 12 0 .143 260 359 NORTH W L T Pct PF PA Pittsburgh 9 5 0 .643 341 276 Baltimore 8 6 0 .571 306 263 Cincinnati 5 8 1 .393 288 293 Cleveland 0 14 0 .000 220 408 WEST W L T Pct PF PA x-Oakland 11 3 0 .786 377 336 Kansas City 10 4 0 .714 319 274 Denver 8 6 0 .571 299 258 San Diego 5 9 0 .357 366 366 NATIONAL CONFERENCE EAST W L T Pct PF PA x-Dallas 12 2 0 .857 366 258 N.Y. Giants 10 4 0 .714 272 250 Washington 7 6 1 .536 345 343 Philadelphia 5 9 0 .357 316 299 SOUTH W L T Pct PF PA Atlanta 9 5 0 .643 469 358 Tampa Bay 8 6 0 .571 313 322 New Orleans 6 8 0 .429 406 392 Carolina 6 8 0 .429 337 352 NORTH W L T Pct PF PA Detroit 9 5 0 .643 301 285 Green Bay 8 6 0 .571 363 339 Minnesota 7 7 0 .500 264 259 Chicago 3 11 0 .214 248 320 WEST W L T Pct PF PA y-Seattle 9 4 1 .679 298 235 Arizona 5 8 1 .393 340 325 Los Angeles 4 10 0 .286 197 328 San Francisco 1 13 0 .071 264 434 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

MONDAY’S GAME

Carolina 26, Washington 15

THURSDAY’S GAME

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia, 8:25 p.m.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Atlanta at Carolina, 1 p.m. Washington at Chicago, 1 p.m. N.Y. Jets at New England, 1 p.m. San Diego at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Tennessee at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Green Bay, 1 p.m. Indianapolis at Oakland, 4:05 p.m. Arizona at Seattle, 4:25 p.m. Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 4:25 p.m. San Francisco at Los Angeles, 4:25 p.m. Cincinnati at Houston, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 4:30 p.m. Denver at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAMES

Detroit at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 1

New England at Miami, 1 p.m. Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. Green Bay at Detroit, 1 p.m. Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

THE SUMTER ITEM

SPORTS ITEMS Dallas at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. Houston at Tennessee, 1 p.m. Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Washington, 1 p.m. Seattle at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m. Kansas City at San Diego, 4:25 p.m. Arizona at Los Angeles, 4:25 p.m. Oakland at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

NBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

MONDAY’S GAMES

Nashville 2, Philadelphia 1, SO Anaheim 3, Toronto 2 Edmonton 3, St. Louis 2, OT Calgary 4, Arizona 2 Detroit at Carolina, ppd.

TUESDAY’S GAMES

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION W L Toronto 19 8 Boston 15 12 New York 14 13 Brooklyn 7 19 Philadelphia 7 20 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W L Charlotte 15 13 Atlanta 14 14 Washington 12 15 Orlando 12 17 Miami 9 19 CENTRAL DIVISION W L Cleveland 19 6 Milwaukee 13 12 Chicago 14 13 Indiana 15 14 Detroit 14 16 WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST DIVISION W L San Antonio 22 5 Houston 21 7 Memphis 18 11 New Orleans 9 20 Dallas 7 21 NORTHWEST DIVISION W L Utah 18 10 Oklahoma City 16 12 Portland 13 16 Denver 12 16 Minnesota 8 19 PACIFIC DIVISION W L Golden State 24 4 L.A. Clippers 20 8 Sacramento 10 17 L.A. Lakers 11 19 Phoenix 8 20

San Jose 32 19 12 1 39 80 72 Anaheim 33 17 11 5 39 94 92 Edmonton 34 17 12 5 39 100 92 Calgary 34 17 15 2 36 89 98 Los Angeles 31 16 13 2 34 79 78 Vancouver 32 13 16 3 29 80 100 Arizona 32 11 16 5 27 72 101 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Pct GB .704 — .556 4 .519 5 .269 11½ .259 12 Pct GB .536 — .500 1 .444 2½ .414 3½ .321 6 Pct GB .760 — .520 6 .519 6 .517 6 .467 7½ Pct GB .815 — .750 1½ .621 5 .310 14 .250 15½ Pct GB .643 — .571 2 .448 5½ .429 6 .296 9½ Pct GB .857 — .714 4 .370 13½ .367 14 .286 16

MONDAY’S GAMES

Indiana 107, Washington 105 Atlanta 110, Oklahoma City 108 Chicago 113, Detroit 82 Minnesota 115, Phoenix 108 Denver 117, Dallas 107

TUESDAY’S GAMES

L.A. Lakers at Charlotte, 7 p.m. New Orleans at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Brooklyn at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Indiana at New York, 7:30 p.m. Orlando at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Boston at Memphis, 8 p.m. Cleveland at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. San Antonio at Houston, 8 p.m. Denver at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Portland at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m. Utah at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Milwaukee at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Memphis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Washington at Chicago, 8 p.m. Houston at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Sacramento at Utah, 9 p.m. Dallas at Portland, 10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Boston at Indiana, 7 p.m. Golden State at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Orlando at New York, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Miami, 8 p.m. San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Chicago at Charlotte, 7 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 7 p.m. Brooklyn at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Golden State at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Houston at Memphis, 8 p.m. Miami at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Sacramento at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Washington at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. Atlanta at Denver, 9 p.m. Philadelphia at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Toronto at Utah, 9 p.m. San Antonio at Portland, 10 p.m. Dallas at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 31 20 7 4 44 96 69 Ottawa 32 18 11 3 39 82 85 Boston 33 17 13 3 37 78 79 Tampa Bay 32 15 14 3 33 91 91 Florida 32 14 13 5 33 77 87 Detroit 32 14 14 4 32 78 89 Buffalo 30 12 11 7 31 66 79 Toronto 31 12 12 7 31 87 94 METROPOLITAN DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA N.Y. Rangers 34 23 10 1 47 113 75 Pittsburgh 32 20 7 5 45 109 90 Columbus 29 20 5 4 44 98 61 Philadelphia 34 19 11 4 42 107 102 Washington 30 19 8 3 41 81 66 Carolina 31 13 11 7 33 82 87 New Jersey 31 12 12 7 31 74 93 N.Y. Islanders 31 11 14 6 28 81 99

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 34 22 8 4 48 98 80 Minnesota 30 18 8 4 40 89 60 St. Louis 33 17 11 5 39 93 96 Nashville 31 14 12 5 33 89 89 Winnipeg 34 15 16 3 33 90 100 Dallas 33 13 14 6 32 84 101 Colorado 30 11 18 1 23 65 97 PACIFIC DIVISION GP W L OT Pts GF GA

Nashville at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Los Angeles at Columbus, 7 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Boston, 7 p.m. Anaheim at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Buffalo at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Colorado at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Ottawa at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. St. Louis at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Winnipeg at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Calgary at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Washington at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. Edmonton at Arizona, 9:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Carolina at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m. St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Boston at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Nashville, 8 p.m. Toronto at Colorado, 9 p.m. Winnipeg at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Minnesota at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. Tampa Bay at Washington, 7 p.m. Montreal at Columbus, 7 p.m. Buffalo at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. New Jersey at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Boston at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Toronto at Arizona, 9 p.m. Vancouver at Calgary, 9 p.m. Edmonton at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

By The Associated Press

MONDAY’S SCORES EAST American U. 61, Md.-Eastern Shore 58 Bucknell 81, Mount St. Mary’s 65 Duquesne 74, Jackson St. 62 Lafayette 104, Moravian College 67 St. Bonaventure 92, Army 83 Syracuse 105, E. Michigan 57 UMBC 120, The Citadel 111 SOUTH Campbell 90, Johnson & Wales (NC) 59 Duke 65, Tennessee St. 55 Florida St. 76, Samford 68 Furman 68, Tennessee Tech 62 Jacksonville 81, Florida Memorial 63 LSU 75, Coll. of Charleston 65 Marshall 81, West Virginia Wesleyan 65 McNeese St. 70, Tulane 63 Mississippi 66, Bradley 49 Mississippi St. 86, Southern Miss. 44 Morehead St. 111, Cent. Arkansas 85 Norfolk St. 87, E. Kentucky 80 South Alabama 71, Spring Hill 50 UNC-Greensboro 75, UNC-Asheville 73 W. Carolina 70, High Point 65 William & Mary 112, Savannah St. 85 Wofford 75, Coastal Carolina 74 MIDWEST Ball St. 61, Longwood 45 Belmont 62, Milwaukee 56 Cleveland St. 79, Lake Erie 62 DePaul 81, SE Missouri 78 E. Illinois 101, Fontbonne University 49 Green Bay 94, SIU-Edwardsville 92 Indiana 103, Delaware St. 56 Marquette 78, St. Francis (Pa.) 65 Missouri St. 66, Chicago St. 46 Notre Dame 77, Colgate 62 Purdue 82, W. Illinois 50 S. Dakota St. 83, Drake 75 SOUTHWEST Lamar 82, Liberty 65 Oral Roberts 63, UALR 48 Rice 100, Northwestern St. 93 SMU 72, Stanford 49 Sam Houston St. 119, Randall 81 FAR WEST Colorado 75, Air Force 68 Denver 74, Ark.-Pine Bluff 52 Long Beach St. 97, Master’s 78 Loyola Marymount 69, Colorado St. 66 New Mexico St. 85, UC Irvine 79 San Francisco 86, Abilene Christian 51 Seattle 89, S. Utah 75 Southern Cal 79, Cornell 67 UNLV 68, S. Illinois 61 Utah St. 76, New Orleans 66 Wyoming 72, Troy 66

TRANSACTIONS

By The Associated Press

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE BOSTON RED SOX — Traded RHP Clay Buchholz to Philadelphia for 2B Josh Tobias. Signed INF Matt Dominguez, OF Junior Lake, C Dan Butler, C Jake DePew, LHP Edgar Olmos and RHP Marcus Walden to minor league contracts. NEW YORK YANKEES — Traded RHP Nick Goody to Cleveland for a player to be named or cash. NATIONAL LEAGUE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Designated 3B Richie Shaffer for assignment.

Raiders, Falcons top Pro Bowl selections NEW YORK — The Oakland Raiders lead the NFL with seven players selected for the Pro Bowl. Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Rodney Hudson, Khalil Mack, Reggie Nelson, Kelechi Osemele and Donald Penn were picked from the Raiders, who are in first place in the AFC West going into Week 16. Six members of the Atlanta Falcons were selected, most among NFC teams. Former Clemson star Vic Beasley, Matt Bryant, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Alex Mack and quarterback Matt Ryan were chosen from the NFC South leaders. Despite missing the first four games of the season because of his “Deflategate” suspension, New England quarterback Tom Brady was picked for the 12th time in his career. Cleveland offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were selected for the 10th time. Twenty-six of the 32 teams had at least one player picked. Twentyplayers were selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time, including three rookies: Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott from Dallas, and Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill. Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, a former South Carolina star, also made it for the first time. Four Carolina Panthers made the Pro Bowl, including former Coastal Carolina standout fullback Mike Tolbert. Joining him will be tight end Greg Olsen,

and linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday, Jan. 29, in Orlando, Florida.

RED SOX TRADE PITCHER BUCHHOLZ TO PHILLIES BOSTON — The Red Sox traded right-hander Clay Buchholz to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league second baseman Josh Tobias. Buchholz. 32, is 81-61 with a 3.96 ERA in parts of 10 big league seasons. Tobias, 24, has hit .301 in 188 minor league games. To make room for Buchholz on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated third baseman Richie Shaffer, a former Clemson star, for assignment. (11) WEST VIRGINIA 84 RADFORD 57

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Esa Ahmad led three West Virginia players in double figures with 17 points and the Mountaineers (10-1) beat Radford (4-7). (17) XAVIER 85 EASTERN WASHINGTON 56

CINCINNATI — Edmond Sumner scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half and Xavier (10-2) beat Eastern Washington (8-4). HORNETS 117 LAKERS 113

CHARLOTTE — Kemba Walker had 28 points and 10 assists, Marco Belinelli scored 11 fourth-quarter points and Charlotte rallied from 19 down to beat the Los Angeles Lakers. From wire reports

AREA ROUNDUP

Mayewood rolls in tourney opener Mayewood Middle School earned a 36-19 victory in boys basketball over Hillcrest on Tuesday in the opening round of the Chestnut Oaks

Christmas Tournament. Christion Bowser led Hillcrest with six points, and Leslie Owens had four. From staff reports

I’m not sure I can depend on my A/C.

FOOTBALL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEW YORK GIANTS — Placed RB Shane Vereen and QB Ryan Nassib on injured reserve. Signed LB Ishaq Williams and RB George Winn from the practice squad.

YOUR PATH TO A CAREER OR UNIVERSITY TRANSFER BEGINS

HERE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta linebacker Vic Beasley, a former Clemson star, was one of six Falcons selected to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

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SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Greyson Sonntag, right, has taken over a starting role for Wilson Hall as the 6-3 Barons look to continue to improve in time for region play and the SCISA state playoffs.

CURVE

FROM PAGE B1

SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO

Liza Segars, right, has taken over the point guard position on a young Wilson Hall team that lost its starting five from a season ago. Despite the youth, the Lady Barons are 7-3 on the year.

BARONS

FROM PAGE B1

Senior Mary Daniel Stokes is third with 7.7 points a game followed by fellow senior Diamond Crawford with 5.9 a game. Sophomore point guard Liza Segars rounds out the main starting rotation and leads

the team with four assists per game. “She’s provided a lot of leadership for our team,” Rector said of Segars. “She was selected to the all-tournament team in the Heathwood Hall tournament even though she didn’t lead us in scoring.” Madison Elmore, Becka Noyes, Sydney Jarecki and Chandler

Patrick have all seen significant minutes as well among others. “We’re going to put a lot of emphasis on sound fundamentals, both offensively and defensively, in the next few weeks,” Rector said. “That’s our focus point. We’ve got four challenging games the first two weeks back before we hit region.”

the main rotation at center and guard, respectively. Sophomore Grey Holler has also been a key contributor along with several other underclassmen. “We’ve had different people who have stepped up,” the elder Talley said. “The game is a little bit faster and it’s an adjustment for some of these younger guys, but we’re getting there.” The biggest key for the Barons moving forward is simply taking care of the basketball, he added. “Defensively, you can always improve, but for us the biggest thing is just to not turn the ball over,” Coach Talley said. “I think we’ll get better with experience and when the guys get more accustomed to what we’re trying to do offensively. “We haven’t shot the ball poorly, we just haven’t gotten as many shots as I would have liked.”

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

How each playoff team can beat Alabama BY RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press Everybody says they want Alabama. Then they get the Crimson Tide and reality sets in: These guys are almost impossible to beat. Alabama is in the College Football Playoff for the third straight season, the only school that can make that claim. And as good as Alabama has been through an unprecedented run of four national titles in seven seasons, this version of the top-ranked Tide might be the best of all. The Huskies are a resurgent bunch, in contention for a national title for the first time in decades, with a coach who has a reputation for pulling off upsets. Ohio State fans have every reason to believe the Buckeyes can take down the Tide — Urban Meyer’s team did just that in the first playoff semifinals. Deshaun Watson and the Tigers went toe-to-toe with the Tide in last season’s championship game. Coach Nick Saban’s crew of former blue-chip recruits and future NFL players is unbeaten, but are they unbeatable? A case for each of the teams in the playoff:

WASHINGTON WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO: Play the perfect game. Sounds impossible, right? It seems the only chance Washington has against the Crimson Tide is to play flawlessly and hope Alabama is already looking forward to hanging out on the beaches of Tampa ahead of the championship game. Quarterback Jake Browning spent most of the season avoiding mistakes and must do the same against Alabama. But his two worst games came against USC and Colorado, the two most athletic and physical defenses the Huskies faced. Alabama had 45 sacks this season, third most in the nation, and Browning is not particu-

placed punts, Ohio State has allowed 3.2 yards per return. POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: J.T. Barrett has not been much of a down-field passer for Ohio State, but he is mobile (847 yards rushing) and one of the best in the country at protecting the ball with only five interceptions. Ohio State is a team that could — maybe — force Alabama’s offense to do all the scoring. CHANCES TO BEAT ‘BAMA: Better than Washington’s, but still not great with an offense that does not stretch the field.

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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, and the No. 1 Crimson Tide face Washington in the CFP semifinals. larly mobile. If Browning can get the ball to speedster John Ross and fellow wide receiver Dante Pettis — big if — there could be some favorable matchups for Washington. POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Coach Chris Petersen. He has a track record during his time at Boise State of beating long odds. The ultimate example happened 10 years ago when his first Boise State team knocked off Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Petersen loves his tricky plays and has a good feel for when to break out the gadgets. CHANCES TO BEAT ‘BAMA: Poor. No team truly matches up with Alabama, but the Huskies’ relatively inexperienced offensive line and stationary quarterback is a recipe for disaster.

OHIO STATE WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO: Beat Alabama at its own game, turning turnovers into touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide has 14 non-offensive touchdowns, including 11 on defense. Ohio State has seven defensive touchdowns. Ohio State will have a hard time recreating the offensive success it had against Alabama in the 2014 semifinals if it does face the Tide in the championship game in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 9. The Buckeyes struggled this season against good defenses, such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn State. The Buckeyes have proved resilient, though, coming from behind to win overtime games against the Badgers and Wolverines. The Buckeyes’ best hope is defense and special teams. They have an athletic front seven that can pressure Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Buckeyes secondary is one of the best in the nation, led by All-America safety Malik Hooker, who has returned three interceptions for touchdowns. Thanks to Cameron Johnston’s well-

WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO: Start with what it did in last year’s championship game. “You take a carbon copy of that game plan,” former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. “Pare back the things that didn’t work and bring it in to face Alabama.” Alabama’s stunning onside pop kick in a 24-all game turned things in the Tide’s favor against Clemson in a 45-40 thriller. Clemson showed Alabama’s defense could be beat, though it takes a special effort by a special player. Watson accounted for 478 yards and four TDs. This is not exposing a flaw in Alabama as much as it is stating the obvious: To beat a great defense — Alabama is No. 1 total defense, scoring defense and run defense — you need your great quarterback to play great. POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Mike Williams, who has 84 catches for 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns, did not play in last season’s game as he was recovering from a neck injury. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Williams is a matchup nightmare. CHANCES TO BEAT ‘BAMA: “Of the three teams, I think Clemson has the best chance,” Bowden said. Bowden is probably a bit biased, but he is also right.

South Carolina defense vows ‘never again’ against rival Tigers BY JOSH KENDALL The State COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s defensive players talked to the media about the Clemson game Tuesday for the first time since they lost 56-7 to the Tigers. It was clear they had thought about it plenty since then though. “Never again,” junior linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams said. “That is something we have been posting around the

locker room, that we have been saying to ourselves. We never want to get beat like that again so we have to do everything we need to do this offseason, everything that we have to do in the fall to not allow things like that to happen next year.” The Gamecocks (6-6), who play South Florida (10-2) on Dec. 29 in the Birmingham Bowl, gave up 622 yards to Clemson on Nov. 26, suffering their second-largest margin

of defeat in the series’ history. Watching the game film wasn’t fun, junior safety D.J. Smith said. “It was hard to watch, obviously losing your rival by 50 points,” he said. “We are going to sit in our gut, remember it for next year because they did us kind of wrong at the end by holding the ball and having Deshaun (Watson) come out (to be applauded by the crowd).” USC plays the Tigers in Wil-

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liams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 25 next year. “It was a shock, but we moved on from it. It won’t happen again,” junior defensive lineman Dante Sawyer said. “It hasn’t been settled, we will worry about it next year when it comes around.” After the game, Allen-Williams claimed a Clemson player directed a racial slur at a USC player during the game. Allen-Williams and rest of the team’s defensive players hadn’t been made available to the media since that night.

“I definitely do stand by it,” Allen-Williams said. “It happened, and that’s not something I want to talk about right now. I’m focused on South Florida right now.” After that, he’ll start worrying about closing the gap with Clemson. “As a rising senior, I am not going to allow myself to not work as hard as I possibly can to help me help my team,” he said. “That is something that we have in our head and that’s our motto, ‘Never again.’”

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 |

RIVALRY

FROM PAGE B1

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Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over Washington’s Josh Norman (24) and Donte Whitner (39) during Monday night’s game in Landover, Md. Stewart rushed for a season-high 132 yards in the Panthers’ 26-15 victory.

PANTHERS

FROM PAGE B1

When it came to flinging the ball at his receivers, Newton was better than usual. He went 21 for 37 with two touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over. He was backed by a solid running game led by Jonathan Stewart, who amassed a season-high 132 yards on 25 carries. Throw in a defense that allowed only one touchdown, and you’ve got the 2015 Panthers. “They loaded the box up, backers were shooting the gap,” Redskins tackle Trent Williams said. “That’s the same front seven they went to the Super Bowl with. That’s a good group of

guys.” The Panthers on Monday night looked nothing like the group that started 1-5 and got beat by such scores as 22-10 and 40-7. “We had a bit of continuity,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We’ve got an offensive line that’s played together for what, four weeks now? We’ve got a group of young corners that have played together for five weeks now. We ran the ball very effectively today.” Carolina has only a mathematical chance of getting back to the playoffs, but that’s not what drives the Panthers as the season draws to end. Asked what the team is playing for, Newton replied with one word: “Wins.” “We’re playing for a ton

of pride and the guy next to us,” defensive end Wes Horton said. “Even if we didn’t have a playoff scenario, we’re still going to fight to the end. Our objective is to go undefeated the rest of the season.” Rivera insisted upon it. “Coach challenged us as man, as players, as professionals, to come out and do our job,” Newton said. “That’s what we tried to do today, and we did it.” Newton arrived fashionably late for his postgame session wearing a pink hat, checkered suit, blue tie and sneakers — even though Rivera told the team they could travel home in sweat suits. Newton said his attire was a tribute to Craig Sager, an NBA analyst who died recently of cancer.

OBITUARIES MARGARET ANN M. VASSAR MANNING — Margaret Ann Mathis Vassar, 73, wife of the Rev. Thomas Eli Vassar Jr., died on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at McLeod Health Clarendon. Born in Manning, she was a daughter of the late William Scott Mathis and Bonnie Nash Mathis. She was a registered nurse with McLeod Health Clarendon and she was a memVASSAR ber of Paxville Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of Manning; two daughters, Tracy Strickland (Stephen) of Monroe, North Carolina, and Christy Bauer (Stephen) of Athens, Georgia; three sisters, Mary Vann (C.A.) of Columbia, Kate Inzetta (Bob) of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Ruby Goff (Byron) of Elgin; a granddaughter, Jennifer Bauer of Manning; three grandsons, Joel Bauer (Jamie) of Mililani, Hawaii, and Vassar Strickland and Mathis Strickland, both of Monroe; and a great-grandson, Eli Bauer of Manning. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Manning First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Johnson and the Rev. Stephen Bauer officiating. Burial will follow in Manning Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donnie Mahoney, Donald Mahoney, Stephen Bauer, Chestley Vann, Steven Powell and Benjamin Thames. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 302 S. Meadow Drive, Manning. Memorials may be made to Paxville Baptist Church, 10278 Lewis Road, Manning, SC 29102. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

Surviving are three sons, Edward W. Wazney of North Carolina, Louis Francis Wazney and Robert William Wazney, both of South Carolina; one sister, Linda J. Clyde of Florida; and two grandchildren, Erika Dawn Wazney and Jonathon Louis Edward Wazney of South Carolina. She will be deeply missed by all. She was also preceded in death by her four brothers, Edwin, Donald, William and Robert Simrell. The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Palmetto Health Tuomey and the staff at McElveen Manor for the love and support that was shown to her over the last few years. A blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Sznyter Funeral Home, 1101 Prospect Ave., Scranton. Family and friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Entombment will follow in Saint Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Saint Stan-

islaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral, c/o 529 E. Locust St., Scranton, PA 18505.

HAZEL S. WILLIAMS MANNING — Hazel Snider Williams, 87, widow of Richard Williams Sr., died on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at her residence. She was born on April 19, 1929, a daughter of the late Henry Snider Sr. and Rosa Kennedy Snider. The family is receiving friends at her residence, 3325 S. Brewington Road, Manning. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.

JAMES LEE HOLLOMAN BISHOPVILLE — James Lee Holloman, husband of Beverly Holloman, entered eternal rest on Dec. 19, 2016, at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 520 Davis St., Bishopville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.

WILLIAM E. GLASSCOCK JR. William E. “Billy” Glasscock Jr., 82, widower of Gloria Ann Glasscock, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Born on Jan. 21, 1934, in Sumter, he was a son of the late William E. Glasscock Sr. and Madie Jackson Glasscock. Mr. Glasscock was a member of Faith ARP Church and was retired from Glasscock Co. Inc. He is survived by his children, Kim (Levy) Geddings of Sumter, Lisa (Joseph) Brunson of Manning, William “Bo” (Diane) Glasscock of Sumter and Rusty (Pam) Glasscock of Dalzell; six grandchildren, Jacob (Amy) Geddings of Sumter, Megan (T.J.) Floyd of Manning, Joey Brunson of Manning, Alex Glasscock of Dalzell, and Zachary and Tyler Glasscock of Sumter; four great-grandchildren, Karter, Kaisyn and Karsen Geddings and Emery Floyd; and two brothers, Jimmy (Loretta) Glasscock of Augusta, Georgia, and Steve Glasscock of Sumter. He was preceded in death by his grandson, William Geddings. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who

interior in their only loss, and Clemson has a lot of height and bulk to challenge them. But the Tigers’ bigs – 6-foot-7 Jaron Blossomgame and 6-8 Donte Grantham – like to shoot the 3-pointer, which plays into USC’s strengths. USC wants to deny the ball on the perimeter and Clemson averages more than 24 3-point attempts per game. Yet Blossomgame was a first-team AllACC performer last year and it wasn’t because of his longrange prowess. “The one place you can guarantee you’re going to find him is attacking the rim, whether it’s rebounding or driving the ball, posting up, he’s going to attack the rim,” USC coach Frank Martin said. “If for some reason, one of our guys can’t find him in the game, they find the rim, I guarantee you they’ll find Blossomgame.” The Gamecocks have relied on Dozier, playing the best basketball of his career, and Notice to direct them in Thornwell’s absence, but if Notice isn’t hitting his shots, the game can turn sour. Martin blamed himself for pressuring Notice against the Pirates. When he eased up, Notice rebounded from an 0-for15 slump to drain four secondhalf 3-pointers against South Florida. It’s another challenge for USC’s young team, something Martin wanted when he made the schedule. He sees Clemson as the Gamecocks’ brethren – except for this game. “We’re going to be a much better basketball team after this game,” Martin said. “I think our programs kind of mirror each other – they’re both pretty good and not too many people give either one of us much respect.”

enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and also at Lake Wateree. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery with the Rev. Billy Lewis officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be his sons and grandsons, William “Bo” Glasscock, Rusty Glasscock, Jacob Geddings, Joey Brunson, Alex Glasscock and Zachary Glasscock. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE B6

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JUNE ROSE WAZNEY SCRANTON, Pennsylvania — June Rose Wazney, widow of Lt. Col. Edward Louis Wazney Sr., died on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, in Sumter. Born on Oct. 3, 1942, in Scranton, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Genevieve Simrell.

their teammates, but they just can’t convey what it means. Not until the result is in. “Growing up around here,” Columbia’s P.J. Dozier said, “I definitely understand the importance of winning that game.” The No. 22 Gamecocks (9-1) and Clemson (8-2) clash for the 167th time today and, as usual, there’s a lot on the line. USC needs a win over a team that will keep its RPI strong since it won’t get much help from its league. The Tigers would like a win over a team that beat Michigan and Syracuse to add to its ACC schedule, which would likely get them to the NCAAs with slightly more than a .500 finish. Then there’s the bragging rights, which USC has held the past two seasons. It’s the only one of the four major sports the Gamecocks have an overall series lead, and they know it – Dozier’s never lost to Clemson, Notice is 2-1. USC is home, but is again without star Sindarius Thornwell, while Clemson just received the return of former top-50 prospect Elijah Thomas to eligibility. A 9 p.m. tip over Christmas break with folks due at work Thursday morning doesn’t seem conducive to a packed house – but this is The Rivalry. “I didn’t understand the seriousness of it until after the first time we played them, in Clemson,” Notice said. “Ever since then, I’ve kind of been engaged and connected to it, so I’m really excited to play them again.” The Gamecocks were mauled by Seton Hall in the

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OBITUARIES

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DARIUS FORD Darius Ford, 22, departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Sumter. He was born on Jan. 3, 1994, in Sumter, a son of Leroy Dixon and the late Teresa Ford. The family will receive friends at the home, 902 Manning Ave., and at the home of his grandmother, 116A King St., Sumter, SC 29150. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

DORINE M. SIEVERS Dorine McGee Sievers, 86, widow of Henry T. Sievers, died on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at her home. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.

NOELLE K. BRADFORD Noelle Kannise Bradford, daughter of Pastor Napoleon and Dr. Karen Bradford, was born on Sept. 30, 2004, in Maumee (Toledo), Ohio. She transitioned to be with the Lord on Dec. 17, 2016, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Noelle was reared in a loving home, where her parents instilled the desire to serve others through Christ. She attended church faithfully at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, where she accepted Christ as her Savior, at 10 years of age. Noelle was very active in the church and served in Mime, J-Baby Nursery and Blueprint Youth Ministries. In her private time, she loved to read the Bible and reflect on the scriptures and journal. Noelle attended Alice Drive and Millwood Elementary schools in Sumter School District. This year, she was a sixth grade student at Bates Middle School, where she maintained an A-average since first grade. She competed in writing and science fair competitions. Noelle was a member of the string orchestra and recently joined the digital photography and Bantam Buzzfeed Clubs. She started taking private lessons from Music & Me Studios at the age of five in piano, and continued with violin and cello. Previously, Noelle was a member of the competition dance team Rising Stars of Sumter from Miss Libby’s School of Dance. She was encouraging, giving, generous and always ready to serve. Her most passionate servant ministry was the House of Hope at Jehovah Baptist, where she assisted in preparing food packages. In her spare time, Noelle enjoyed designing nails and sewing. One of Noelle’s Christmas gift requests was a Pandora bracelet with an anchor charm, because she affirmed that her spiritual relationship was “Anchored in Christ.” She will be missed, but her life was well-lived. Noelle leaves to cherish fond memories: loving and devoted parents, Napoleon and Karen Bradford; one brother, Napoleon Koren; three sisters, Portia, NeTyra and Nylah;

her paternal grandparents, Napoleon F. (Ella) Bradford; her maternal grandparents, Clarence (Irene) Hilton Jr.; two uncles, Brad Bradford and Brandon (Corina) Hilton; one aunt, Ella Bradford; as well as a host of grand-aunts, grand-uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Noelle was preceded in death by one aunt, April Hilton. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Ms. Bradford will be placed in the Bates Middle School gymnasium at 10 a.m. on Thursday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Bates Middle School gymnasium with Pastor Marion H. Newton officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the J-Baby Nursery at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 2575 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements. Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary. net.

MAGGIE B. JOHNSON Maggie Pearl Bradford Johnson, 68, affectionately known as “Doretha,” departed this earthly life on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born on Aug. 23, 1948, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Maggie Mae Bradford Porter. She attended the public schools of Sumter County. She was employed at Manchester Farms in Hopkins for more than 20 years. Early in life, she gave her life to Christ and joined Grant Hill Baptist Church, where she enjoyed attending. She leaves to cherish the love of her life for more than 40 years, Robert Oaks of Dalzell; two sons, William Johnson Jr. and James Bradford, both of the home in Dalzell; one sister, Marie Bradford of Columbia; an adopted sister, Audrene Brittain of Columbia; one brother, Richard Bradford of Dalzell; one uncle, Delgard Bradford of Dalzell; one aunt, Lillie Mae Abrams of Dalzell; two sisters-in-law; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Roosevelt L. Williams officiating, eulogist. The family is receiving relatives and friends at her home, 5160 Scenic Lake Drive, Rembert. The procession will leave at 12:20 p.m. from the home.

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Burial will be in Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Churchyard cemetery, 5405 Black River Road, Rembert. These services have been entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.

VIVIAN A. EARLES Vivian Ardis Earles, age 66, left for her heavenly home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Fred William Ardis and Beatrice Brown Ardis. Vivian worked at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center from 1970 to 2009. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church. Surviving are a son, John Lathan Earles of Sumter; two brothers, John Ardis and Tommy Ardis, both of Sumter; three sisters, Virginia Verhoven of Sumter, Earlene Skelcher of California and Dianne Arrants of Longs; five grandchildren; and former husband, Frank Earles of Sumter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Brandon Earles; and three brothers, Sonny Ardis, Wayne Ardis and Henry Ardis. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Sammy Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday one hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4124 Clemson Blvd., Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

RODNEY B. JAMES Pastor Rodney B. James was born on Jan. 3, 1970, in Sumter, to Mamie P. James and the late Joseph U. James Sr. At an early age, Pastor James accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sumter. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, the Master called Pastor James from labor to reward. He was educated in the Sumter County public school system. James graduated from Sumter High School in 1988, where he was a celebrated athlete. He was known for his skill and talent on the football field as well as in wrestling. He won the title of

in the church at noon on Thursday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Larry C. Weston, host, the Rev. Telley L. Gadson officiating and Bishop Terry McCaskill Sr., eulogist. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will be receiving friends at the home of this mother, 211 Alexander Place, Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements. Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.

heavyweight champion and was known to many as “Kamala.” In 1991, Rodney furthered his education at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where he obtained a dual major degree in pre-law and religion. In1993, he earned his master of divinity degree from Southern Methodist University-Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. Pastor James was employed as a teacher in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a brief period before returning home to Sumter. He then became a teacher in the Sumter County public school system. He was a beloved coach to many in the areas of football, wrestling and track. Pastor James was licensed to preach the gospel on May 5, 1994, by the Rev. L.W. Barnes at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sumter. He was ordained on July 26, 1988, by the Sumter Baptist Missionary and Educational Association. From Sept. 1988 to Oct. 2011 Pastor James was blessed with the honor to serve as senior pastor of Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church of Bishopville. With Pastor James at the helm, Mount Hermon grew from a membership of 58 to 600. Elder Rodney B. James was called as senior pastor / teacher of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of South Miami Inc. on Aug. 15, 2011. and was duly installed in Oct. 2011 as the ninth pastor of Mount Olive. In four years, through exemplary spiritual visionary leadership, he continued to build Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and expand its ministry across the community and state. Pastor James’ membership on various boards and committees allowed him to share his expertise gained by a life filled with service to his fellow man, making him well respected in the community of South Miami. Left to cherish his loving memories: his wife, Carla James; three children, Remington, Zamaria and Royce James; mother, Mamie P. James; siblings, Robert James, Jacqueline M. Plowden, Michele Denise (John) Gooding, Tina Louise Johnson and Monica E. Durrant; father and mother-inlove, the Rev. Dr. C.P. Preston Jr. and Lady Robyn M. Preston; brothers-in-love, Terrill (April) Moyd and Clinton (Chandra) Preston; goddaughters, Erica Washington and Zaniyah Bryant; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of South Miami; the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church of Bishopville; and the Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Miami. Pastor James was preceded in death by his father, Deacon Joseph U. James Sr.; his brother, Joseph U. James Jr.; and nephew, Lorenzo Johnson Jr. Public viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Pastor James will be placed

CALVIN L. LENEAU Calvin “Cowboy” Leon Leneau, 34, died on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Sumter County. Born on Feb. 25, 1982, in Sumter County, he was a son of Evette Leneau. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 455 Allen Drive. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.

CARRIE B. HILTON CHARLESTON — On Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, Carrie Lucille Bethune Hilton, widow of Louis Hilton Sr., heard her Master’s call at Medical University Hospital in Charleston. Born on May 28, 1941, in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Mirah Bethune and Johnny Lee Thompson Sr. The family is receiving relatives and friends from 3 to 8 p.m. at the residence of her son and daughter-in-law, Pastor Louis Hilton Jr. and the Rev. Linda Whack Hilton, 3943 Kingstree Highway, Manning. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Fleming & Delaine Funeral Home & Chapel.

ELLA L. GUIN Ella Louise Guin, 67, wife of Paul Eugene Guin, died on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016. Born on Jan. 18, 1949, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of Frank L. Bruce and Mattie L. Robinson. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, 1485 Poole Road. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.

EARLIEST JACKSON SUMMERTON — Earliest Jackson, 54, died on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016. The funeral service for Mr. Jackson will be held at noon today at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Manning, with the Rev. Jonathan Anderson, pastor. The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister, Jennie White, 1121 Starks Drive, Summerton. These services have been entrusted to Samuels funeral Home LLC of Manning.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

RECRUITING

Venables’ son, highly-touted QB commit to Clemson On Sunday Jake Venables (6-feet-2-inches, 222 pounds), a 2018 linebacker out of Daniel, announced a commitment to Clemson, where his father Brent is the defensive coordinator. And the announcement came on his father’s birthday. “I just knew. I was ready. I thought it was time,” the younger Venables said. “I also know this class is not going to be very big, about 12 people, and I wanted to make sure I had a spot. I am looking forward to getting all the guys we need. It’s fun, because I know the next nine we get are going to get be unreal, and the 2017 class is already off the charts. This is going to be fun.” And the chance to stay home and play his college football also was big in Venables’ thinking. “Yeah, it’s always a big plus when your family lives in the same town,” he said. “I am super blessed to be in the position I’m in and I am really looking forward to getting the rest of my class and future teammates in and get this thing rolling.” Venables is Clemson’s third commitment for the 2018 class joining quarterback Trevor Lawrence and LB Mike Jones Jr. He also has offers from Texas Tech, SMU and Northwestern. This season Venables had 100 tackles with 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Lawrence, of Cartersville, Ga., is regarded as the top quarterback in the country in his class. He announced Thursday night a commitment to Clemson. He had also strongly considered Georgia. He also looked at Alabama and LSU during the season. “After a long and thoughtful process, I am blessed to announce that I am committed to Clemson University,” Lawrence wrote on his Twitter page while requesting that he not be contacted for interviews. The 6-5 Lawrence is a prolific passer. He passed for 3,655 yards and 43 touchdowns as a freshman, 3,042 yards and 26 touchdowns as a sophomore and this season he passed for 3,904 yards and 51 touchdowns in leading his team to a state championship. “Effortless,” is how Cartersville assistant coach Antwan Toomer described Lawrence as a passer earlier this year. “What impresses me the most is his throwing power. To still be so young but yet possess that power is amazing. He’s a pro style in my opinion but he’s mobile enough to pull it on a zone option play and get a first down.” Lawrence becomes Clemson’s second commitment for the 2018 class joining DB Mike Jones of IMG Academy in Florida. At this point in piecing together the 2017 class, Clemson has 14 solid commitments and not much room left. The two prospects the Tigers still are pursuing are LB Drew Singleton of Paramus, N.J., and DB Xavier McKinney of Roswell, Ga. Singleton took official visits to Michigan and Michigan State this month. Clemson is hoping to get him in for an official visit in January before he makes his decision. Singleton did visit Clemson in the summer. McKinney has taken official visits to Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia. He is down to the Tigers, Crimson Tide (to which he once was committed) and the Buckeyes. McKinney will be a mid-year enrollee. Asked about reported information that Ohio State

doesn’t have room for any more midyear guys, McKinney responded, “They didn’t tell me that.” McKinney Phil Kornblut also has been RECRUITING considering Florida. He CORNER plans to announce at the Under Armour All American Game January 1st in Orlando. According to Clemson247. com, RB D’Andre Swift of Philadelphia, who is a Georgia commitment, is considering an official visit with the Tigers in January. He will visit Georgia on Jan. 13. Clemson offered 2018 DB Tre’ Douglas of McDonough, Ga. Douglas has 17 offers. He went to games this season at Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio State. He does not have favorites.

USC AND CLEMSON In the aftermath of the Lawrence commitment, 2018 QB Dakereon Joyner of Fort Dorchester, the state’s No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class, said Saturday he will move forward with his recruiting without Clemson as an option. Joyner told TheClemsonInsider.com he won’t be attending Clemson and the Tigers are out of his top five. He stated his top three as South Carolina, Louisville and N.C. State. He is slated to visit Virginia Tech on Jan. 15. Clemson never recruited Joyner strictly as a quarterback, something he has insisted of the schools he’s considering. Clemson viewed Joyner as an athlete, promising him a chance at quarterback but reserving the right to move him if he didn’t prove better than their other quarterbacks. Joyner maintains he is strictly a quarterback for college. Joyner was just named the Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina. This season he passed for 3,642 yards and 44 touchdowns and rushed for 1,089 yards and 12 scores. 2018 DE Xavier Thomas of Florence announced Tuesday night he will sign next year with either USC or Clemson. Thomas, who is transferring from Wilson to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in January, eliminated five others from his list in deciding to go with one of the in-state programs. He made multiple unofficial visits to both schools during the season. “After much talk with my parents, I am committing to returning to my home state of South Carolina to play for either USC or Clemson,” Thomas wrote on Twitter. “I do not know which school I will be attending yet. That is a decision I will make next year after following both schools athletic programs’ progress, accessing each school’s educational opportunities, and more importantly, after careful consideration of my family’s feedback.” Thomas also had Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia, Alabama and Florida on his short list before deciding to go with one of the in-state programs. 2018 DB Kyler McMichael of Duluth, Ga., picked up an offer from Clemson Friday. The Tigers join USC and several other major programs with an offer to McMichael. McMichael said he will visit Duke in January and possible Clemson as well. 2018 OL Noah Sherburn of

Canton, Ga., has not been offered by Clemson but is getting a lot of interest in the Tigers and he has strong interest in them. Sherburn has also had interest in USC but has not been in for a visit. He’s also drawing interest from Louisville, Appalachian State, Toledo, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Florida State. 2018 RB Zamir White of Laurinburg, N.C. plans to announce his commitment June 27. Clemson and USC are on his list.

USC USC landed two of the nation’s top junior college cornerbacks Wednesday by signing Kaleb Chalmers of Northwestern Mississippi Community College and Keisean Nixon of Arizona Western JC. Those additions give the Gamecocks seven defensive backs in their 2017 class and 22 newcomers all together. Both will enroll in January and will have three years to play three. Chalmers is a Greenwood native who began his college career at Clemson in 2015 but was dismissed from the program following his arrest on drug possession charges in Clinton last March without ever having played a down for the Tigers. Chalmers said last month those charges against him were dismissed. He enrolled at NWCC where he was a model student and player according to his coach. “He has been a great teammate and has led our team the right way,” said Northwest Mississippi coach Benji Parker. “He goes to class. He goes to weights. Everybody on campus loves him.” Parker said the USC coaches liked Chalmers because he’s a bigger corner. Last season he had 26 tackles with 12 passes broken up and one interception. Speaking for his son Wednesday, Anthony Chalmers said he is excited about getting a second chance to play major college football. “A lot of these young guys get this opportunity to go to a major Division I school such as Clemson or Carolina and play on this big stage. You think as parents you prepare them for it, but once they get there it’s a learning experience,” Anthony said. “Having the opportunity to get back to this level to be able to play again for a major Division I school, he’s learned a lot from it. He’s learned a lot from the experience and we just pray and hope that what he’s learned he’ll be able to share with the next young fella who might be going through something like that.” Nixon talked with USC head coach Will Muschamp early Wednesday morning and made his pledge then and later signed his papers. “I chose the Gamecocks cause I feel that coaching staff gives me the best situation to get to the NFL,” Nixon said. This season Nixon had 27 tackles with six interceptions, two sacks and he scored twice. Nixon took an official visit to USC for the Western Carolina game and he was at Tennessee last weekend. He also took official visits to Colorado State, Iowa State and Oregon State. USC commitment LB Eldridge Thompson of Coffeyville JC, Kan., had planned to graduate from the junior college this month and enroll at USC in January. “Not any more, I had some stuff on my math class and I

won’t get that until May,” Thompson said. “But there’s no more recruiting period for me. I’m all South Carolina.” Thompson said he will take the math class he needs online. Thompson said he will finish up the math class on May 5 and he expects no problems in successfully completing the work to be able to enroll at USC in May. OL Jordan Tucker of Roswell, Ga., a former Tennessee commitment, is now looking at a possible visit to USC in January. “I’ve just heard from South Carolina this week and they want to get me up there. Coach B-Mac (Bryan McClendon) said that they’re happy I reopened so they can recruit me again.” USC offered Tucker earlier in the year. He has set an official visit to Louisville for Jan. 14. OL Jordon Carty of Hollywood, Fla., camped at USC last summer and the Gamecocks have kept him on their board. Muschamp and area recruiter Travaris Robinson visited Carty earlier this month and he is scheduled for an official visit Jan. 28. He also plans to visit Ole Miss in January. Those are the two schools he’s considering. “I like South Carolina,” Carty said. “That’s where I want to be. I have not committed yet but I’m looking forward to it.” Carty (6-7, 288) said he’s being recruited as a left tackle. USC has seven defensive backs on its commitment board at this point after signing two junior college prospects last week. DB Naytron Culpepper of Miami, who took an official visit in October, still considers the Gamecocks as one of his options. Culpepper also has taken an official visit to Maryland and is scheduled to visit Michigan State on Jan. 14. Shrine Bowl DE Matthew Butler of Garner, N.C., said at least privately and in his own mind, he’s focused on only three or four of the six schools still on his list as he prepares to announce at his school Wednesday. Butler said he’s been hearing from Muschamp and Robinson via text or phone on daily basis. He said their message is coming across consistent with what they’ve been selling him throughout the recruiting campaign. “They have defensive minded coaching and developing, and a young team that has potential to be a good team in the SEC,” Butler said. “I’ve met their academic support staff and they know what they are doing.” Butler said he’s heard from all six schools on his list as well as some new schools that haven’t been recruiting him but have new staffs. Butler has taken official visits to Duke, Penn State, N.C. State and Texas A&M and if he chooses one of them he won’t take his fifth visit in January. But if he chooses USC or Tennessee, he will take that final visit to that school. This season Butler recorded 90 tackles with 26 sacks, 25 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback hurries. USC has been in touch with RB CJ Leggett (5-10, 209) of Mesa JC, Ariz., and has talked with him about walking on the team this spring and possibly earning a scholarship for the fall. “They offered me as preferred walk-on till the fall sea-

son because of scholarships,” Leggett said. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity. I have always wanted to play for a school like this. There’s a great tradition. I graduate in December and if I decide to go to South Carolina I would be there in the spring.” Leggett said he’s also looking at Mercer and The Citadel. Leggett already has major college experience. He begin his career at Georgia Tech in 2014 as a redshirt then tore his ACL in a 2015 spring practice, thus he never got on the field for the Yellow Jackets. He was in competition for a starting job last spring until he was dismissed from the team in July for a violation of team rules. Leggett played this season at Mesa rushing for 323 yards and two touchdowns. DE Javon Kinlaw of Goose Creek and Jones JC, Miss., named his top three schools as USC, Southern Cal and Alabama. He has set official visits to Southern Cal for Jan. 14, Alabama for Jan. 21 and USC for Jan. 28. “I have no specific order, but South Carolina because it’s my home school state and I love everything about the place,” Kinlaw said in explaining why these three made his short list. “Alabama because It’s one of the best schools in the country football and academic wise. And Southern Cal because I have a great relationship with the D-line coach. Me and him have a relationship that I don’t have with any other coach I’ve ever spoken to. Relationships will play a big role in my college decision.” The official visits will be the first to schools this season for Kinlaw since he couldn’t make any during the season. OL Tony Gray of Loganville, Ga., announced his list for official visits as USC, California, Oklahoma, Florida and Missouri. He did not have dates for his visits in January. He has not yet taken any official visits. Gray had an in-home visit from USC in late November. USC OL target Jerry Drake Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., committed to Pitt. USC offered 2018 WR Jatavious Harris of Milledgeville, Ga. Harris also has offers from Miami, Tennessee and Marshall. 2018 ATH Marquez Ezzard of Stockbridge, Ga., was offered by USC. The Gamecocks like him as a receiver. Ezzard also has offers from Tennessee, Rutgers and Louisville.

BOWLING

Tuesday Night Mixed: Daniel Brown 235-611; Steve Shirley 264; Harold Allen 255-637; Marc Harton 253; Ricky Grimmett 234; Dustin Hodge 267; Emily Batey 221-550; Leslie Bruner 215-551; Greg Jones 762; Byron Phillips 701; Nick Pipkins 611; John Faragi 462; Richard Roarick 607; Joe Blake 531; Tim Hudnall 683; Marc Harton 635; Lenny Girdvainis 584; Terence Williams 632; Cheryl Benton 517; Don Infelise 656; Sue Bailey 669; Rosemary Smith 530; Eva Jackson 521; Marie Anderson 461; Joann Goins 635. Afternoon Delight: Lynn Lynn 186500; Chuck Scott 598; Thomas Jackson 671. Capt. & Crew: Lenny Girdvainis 230609; Jerry Cocker Sr. 206-516; Bobby Holladay 257-735; Daniel Brown 235; Judy McDonald 586.

OTHERS North-South DE Tre Lawson of North Augusta was offered Friday by Oregon. He’s a recent decommit from Tennessee. DB Najee Whosendove of Allendale-Fairfax was offered by Georgia State. North-South DB Cory Riley of AC Flora committed to S.C. State. LB EJ Henry of Palmetto Prep committed to Webber. Northwestern QB Gage Moloney has switched his commitment from Ohio to James Madison Other commitments around the state: OL Antwine Loper, Carolina Forest, Coastal Carolina; TE Elliott Campbell, Lugoff-Elgin, Furman; WR Julius Pearson, Crestwood, Georgia State; TE Roger Carter, Blythewood, Florida Atlantic; QB Peyton Derrick, Conway, Appalachian State; LB Desmond Ricks, Lancaster, S.C. State; DB Akaya Miranda, Belton-Honea Path, Army.

AREA SCOREBOARD BASEBALL UMPIRES NEEDED The Sumter County Recreation Department is in search of umpires for its spring youth league baseball season. For more information, call Glenn Button at (803) 983-9934.

P-15’S BRICKS The Sumter P-15’s American Legion baseball program will be placing bricks for for-

mer players at the front of Riley Park in January. The cost is $50 per brick. For more information, contact Post 15 athletic director Billy Lyons at (803) 968-5115.

U.S BASEBALL ACADEMY SPRING TRAINING U.S. Baseball Academy’s Spring Training 2017 will be at the University of South Carolina Sumter’s Nettles Gymnasium beginning in January.

The camps, which are open to children in grades 1-12, will be held on Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21 and Jan. 28. USC Sumter head coach Tim Medlin will be the program director. With the player-to-coach ratio at 7 to 1, space is limited. Students can register at www. USBaseballAcademy.com or by calling (866) 622-4487. For more information, contact Medlin at (803) 938-3904 or (803) 944-0612.

GAMECOCK LANES SCORES

Sept. 16-22 Industrial Mixed: Moses Jackson 277-746; Lee Taylor 531. Friday Night Mixed: Keith Pandorf 265-662; Romero B. Davis 247-595; Chris Armstrong 270-643; George Russ 234-569; Curtis Anderson 278694; Romero D. Davis 217-569; Tim Hudnall 280-669; Jeffrey Scott 219597; Paul McClam 451; Gene Jenkins 601; Aaron Green 505; Kenny Smith 682; Wardell Stevenson 577; Joann Goins 658. Sunday Night Mixed: Daniel Bochette 165-368; Kris Hackett 212-529; Tom Teigue 187; Todd Haviland 563. Hot Shots: Nancy Champion 201-503.

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivy@theitem.com

Women in recovery focus on others BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

he women sit and crochet, talking and laughing like old

friends. Occasionally, one will stop to make a repair to the scarf she’s making, or seek the assistance of another. They are five of nine women sharing a home with all the upkeep that goes along with that — cooking, cleaning, laundry. More importantly — they share a goal. Sasha, Nicky, Carolyn, Ariana and Louise are all recovering from addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. They’re in a local residential treatment home, whose location is confidential — and those are not their real names. Michelle Holland, a therapist and residential director for the facility that’s part of Sumter Behavioral Health Services, said the women are very motivated to change their behavior. Treatment is intensive and voluntary, she said, and includes “group and family counseling, skills development, self-help group orientation ... trauma curriculum. ... a tremendous focus on coping strategies that empower (them) to operate in their daily lives and handle the stressors that are presented as a potential relapse trigger.” Ranging in age from 19 to around 50, the women all agreed they need changes in their lives, and they know that ultimately their recovery lies in their own hands. They took up their needles and yarn because a recent graduate of the treatment program was an avid crocheter. “Georgia kept making all these blankets,” Nicky said. Holland said Georgia’s “mother provided us with yarn and crochet needles, and Georgia taught everyone else

PHOTOS BY IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Three of the residents compare their techniques and their stitches while making scarves for the families of Palmetto Health Tuomey hospice patients. All of them said they find crocheting calming. how to crochet.” It was Georgia’s mother who also introduced the group to a special project they adopted almost immediately. “They have taken a project that helps them focus on others during the holidays,” Holland said. The women recently sent 20 handmade scarves to the Children’s Home Church of God in Mauldin. Now they’re working on scarves for family members of Palmetto Health Tuomey’s hospice program. Nicky, who is in her 30s, said the act of crocheting is a form of therapy in itself. “It seems to make me a little more calm and focused,” she said, as the others nodded. “It gets us out of our heads so much.” She said that before treat-

Michelle Holland, residential director for Sumter Behavioral Health Services, smiles as one of the residential clients adjusts a scarf she crocheted for Holland’s birthday.

ment, “I didn’t have any other way to cope with my intense feelings.” Focusing on others’ problems offers a form of respite from their formal treatment, Holland said, adding that “giving back to others this way is important. They chose to do this themselves.” Carolyn, who said her personal addiction is alcohol, has been at the residence for five months. “I’m learning a new way of life,” she said. “Living here, we learn how to get along, we’re helping each other.” Holland said while most clients stay three to six months, “some stay a little longer. Their discharge dates depend on reaching their goals, and they have a big part in deciding when their goals are met.” Since they entered the residential treatment program willingly, the women can leave any time they like. No one seems to be in a big hurry to do that. They’ve bonded, and they want to see each other succeed. Several of the women talked freely about their reasons for seeking treatment. Ariana said her drug of choice “was anything that would dull my feelings or make me forget what I was going through.” She shrugged. At 28, she is “tired of living the life I was living. I came in with an open heart and mind. I didn’t like who I was. I want to be a better mother, I want to recognize things about me, I need to change a lot.” Sasha said she’d relapsed because she didn’t change her lifestyle enough after her two previous stays. “I have an analogy between crocheting and my problems,” she said. “When we first got some yarn, one ball was tangled and messed up, so I started untangling it,” she said. “It represents what I had done to my life. A little piece came off, I got

“Louise” crochets a scarf that will be donated to Palmetto Health Tuomey Hospice to give to family of patients on hospice care. The residents of a local rehabilitation treatment center for females addicted to alcohol or other drugs have already crocheted 20 scarves for a children’s home in Mauldin. mad and balled it all up and messed it up. This was my life. “When I got to the point I couldn’t untangle it, I realized I had to cut it off, like some people in my life.” She believes her third period of treatment at the residence will be her last, because she is motivated. “Finally,” she said. Louise, who listened intently to her friends but spoke little herself, said she thinks crocheting is helping her cope. “I just need a rocking chair,” she said, smiling, then grew more reflective. “I never fit in, but with alcohol, I fit in — or so I thought,” she said. Religion is helping her, in addition to her current treatment. “I was raised in the church,” Louise said. “Since being here, I’ve found religion again. These are godly people here.” “I really want this,” Carolyn said. “I’ve got two teenagers, and I’m missing out on a lot. You have rules here that you have to keep. You have to humble yourself.” Thinking her way was al-

ways the right way made her realize, she said, that “I’ve got to shut up and listen.” She was echoed by Sasha, who said, “I’ve got to stop running and deal with issues I’ve been into all my life.” When the clients meet their goals and graduate, they must have a safe place to go to, Holland said. Some can go back to their families, to jobs, to job training, some to another treatment program. Structure, like that of the scarves they’re making, each stitch leading to another and strengthening the whole, is what they seek for healing. Ultimately, it’s their decision. Sumter Behavioral Health Services’ residential treatment facility provides therapy and basic needs; however, the residents, who have no income and asked nothing for themselves, need more yarn to complete their service projects. Director Michelle Holland said other needs include bath and bed linens (twin beds), clothing, shoes and toiletries. Call Holland at 436-2462 to donate or for more information.

At Your Service Home Care Your Concierge ~ Steward ~ Guide to home care and beyond Personal Assistance for safe daily living VA, Medicaid, Long Term Insurance Provider www.ays-homecare.com 1250 Wilson Hall Rd | Sumter, SC 29150

803-607-9677

37 W. Rigby St | Manning, SC 29102

COMICS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

THE SUMTER ITEM

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Woman abused as child needs help with hang-ups DEAR ABBY — I am a 46-year-old woman with PTSD due to a history of physical abuse, mental abuse Dear Abby and incest ABIGAIL that I experienced as a VAN BUREN child. I’m proud to say that it has not been repeated with my four children. My childhood history has made me want sex only if I am in control or if I am role-playing rape. It has caused a big problem with my fiance. I want this scenario all the time, and unfortunately it’s unhealthy.

JUMBLE THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

I’m not sure how to go about healthy sex with him. He is 10 years older than I am and not interested in “different” sex practices. I love him very much and don’t want to mess up this relationship because of my sex issues. Can you advise me how to handle this? Role-playing in St. Paul DEAR ROLE-PLAYING — If you haven’t discussed the reason for your sexual issues with your fiance, you need to explain the reason for them. From your letter, I am guessing that you never had counseling to help you resolve the abuse to which you were subjected. If that’s correct, I am advising you to contact RAINN (Rape,

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Abuse, Incest National Network; rainn.org) or a local rape crisis organization and ask for some help now. The counselors are specially trained to help victims of various kinds of abuse, and the place to start resolving your issues would be there. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.

By Ron Toth and C.C. Burnikel

ACROSS 1 Herbal emanation 6 Small valley 10 Inconsequential quarrel 14 Ring unit 15 Website with a Collectibles & Art section 16 “Dark Angel” actress Jessica 17 *Exchange insults 19 Misses 20 Long fish 21 Grief 22 Biller, eventually 23 Thailand’s previous name 24 Sounding shocked 26 “Tap the app, get a ride” company 28 “¿Cómo __?” 30 Cockney’s wish? 33 “Get a move on!” 35 Montreal brewery founded in 1786 37 1953 Leslie Caron film 38 Chaotic mess 40 Got mileage out of

41 Words after a long delay 43 Good news for borrowers 45 Former Prizm maker 46 Cola with emoji bottle labels 48 Holiday tubers 49 Indigenous plant life 51 Is sorry about 53 Not suitable 55 Formal wear at the Forum 57 Likely 60 Hurt 61 *Come-on for new customers 63 Throw caution to the wind 64 Mixed martial artist Holly 65 Aptly named novelist 66 Washington bills 67 Word in a threat 68 Spooky DOWN 1 Entr’__ 2 Ruth’s Chris request 3 Type of exam 4 Magazine with Don Martin cartoons 5 Was humbled

12/21/16 6 *”I’d like a hand” 7 River of Spain 8 Test rodent 9 Lille lily 10 Drawn-out tales 11 *Pretend to be out 12 Up to the task 13 Stun, in a way 18 __ constrictor 22 El __, Texas 23 Old photo tint 25 Entire spectrum 26 Join together 27 *Go-getter 29 Marquee listings 31 Kilmer and Keats 32 Doesn’t continue 33 Smelting waste 34 Convection oven brand 36 Indiana Jones’ creator

39 Open to attack, and based on thestarts of the answers to starred clues, what this puzzle is 42 Stereotypical dog’s name 44 Overgrown lot, e.g. 47 Security group 50 Part of 52-Down 52 Chi.-based flier 53 French twist, for one 54 Leavened flatbread 56 Some museum art 57 Miles off 58 Prefix with cure 59 Palm or beech 61 Article often ignored in alphabetizing 62 Service charge

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

12/21/16

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WIS News 10 at Entertainment Tonight (N) (HD) news update. News 19 @ 7pm Inside Edition (N) (HD) WLTX E19 9 9 Evening news update. Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! (N) WOLO E25 5 12 (N) (HD) (HD)

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas Man raised by elves travels south. (HD) Undercover Boss: Build-A-Bear President and CEO Sharon Prince John. (N) (HD) The Goldbergs: American Breakfast Club Housewife: (HD) The Nap (HD) Naturescene in S Expeditions with Nature: Snow Chick WRJA E27 11 14 Carolina: Patrick McMillan Young emperor penguin matures. Wildlife Refuge (HD) (HD) The Big Bang The Big Bang Lethal Weapon: Fashion Police Riggs and Murtaugh get wrapped up. WACH E57 6 6 Theory Rebound Theory (HD) dates. (HD) (HD) Last Man Stand- Last Man Stand- Terry Crews Saves Christmas: WKTC E63 4 22 ing: Buffalo Bill ing: Breaking Godina Family Godina family Day (HD) Curfew (HD) Christmas. (N) (HD)

WIS

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3 10 7:00pm Local

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016 10 PM

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Chicago P.D.: Big Friends WIS News 10 at (:35) The Tonight Show Starring Broken Rhymes Transgender student Big Enemies Concert attendees come 11:00pm News Jimmy Fallon Comedic skits and assaulted. (HD) under attack. (HD) and weather. celebrity interviews. (HD) Undercover Boss: Code Black: Exodus News 19 @ 11pm (:35) The Late Show with Stephen New York & Company CEO Greg A blackout impacts Angels Memorial. The news of the Colbert Stephen Colbert interviews Scott goes undercover. (N) (HD) (N) (HD) day. celebrities. (HD) Modern Family: (:31) The Real Game Changers with Robin ABC Columbia (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live A Stereotypical O’Neals: The Real Roberts Robin Roberts meets News at 11 (HD) Celebrities and human-interest Day (HD) Move (HD) Outstanding people. (N) (HD) subjects. (HD) NOVA: Secrets of Noah’s Ark Secrets of the Dead: The Lost Tavis Smiley BBC World News Charlie Rose (N) Boat builders examine flood legend. Gardens of Babylon (HD) International (HD) (HD) Evidence of the gardens examined. (HD) news. Star: Pilot A tough young woman WACH FOX News at 10 Solid Orange 2 Broke Girls: Mike & Molly: tracks her sister down and tries to Local news report and weather And the Piece of Samuel Gets Fired become a superstar. (HD) forecast. Sheet (HD) (HD) Arrow: Legacy Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Hot in Cleveland Oliver is left to balance his roles as Making Friends and Influencing Face My Enemy Coulson is assaulted Charity calendar. mayor and defender of Star City. (HD) People Race Hydra. (HD) on a mission. (HD) (HD)

CABLE CHANNELS Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty (N) (:31) Going Si-ral (:01) Wahl(:32) Leah Remini: Scientology and (:33) Duck (:03) Duck (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (N) (HD) burgers (N) (HD) the Aftermath (HD) Dynasty (HD) Dynasty (HD) (6:00) Four Christ mases (‘08, A Christ mas Carol (‘84, Hol i day) aaa George C. Scott. An old, ill-tem pered busi ness man Santa Claus: The Movie (‘85, Hol i day) aa Dudley Moore. 180 Drama) aac Vince Vaughn. (HD) learns a lesson in compassion on Christmas Eve. (HD) An elf falls in with an evil toy maker. (HD) 100 Dr. Dee: Dee Tales (HD) Dr. Dee: Dee Tales (HD) Dr. Dee: Dee Tales (HD) (:02) Dr. Dee: Dee Tales (N) (HD) (:03) The Vet Life (HD) Vet Life (HD) A Thin Line Be tween Love and Na tional Se cu rity (‘03, Com edy) aac Mar tin Law rence. Two po lice re jects end up work ing to gether as Blue Streak (‘99, Com edy) aac Mar tin Lawrence. 162 Hate (‘96) Martin Lawrence. (HD) security guards, and after discovering a smuggling operation, they decide to stop the criminals. (HD) Thief poses as cop to retrieve jewel. (HD) The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Real Housewives of Beverly Vanderpump Rules Lisa gives Runaway Bride 181 Runaway Bride (‘99, Comedy) aa To Be Announced Programming Richard Gere. Reluctant bride. information unavailable. Hills: Going Commando Brittany relationship advice. (‘99) aa 84 Jay Leno’s Garage (HD) Shark Tank Feline fever. (HD) Shark Tank (HD) Shark Tank (HD) Shark Tank (HD) Leno’s Grg 80 Erin Burnett OutFront (HD) Anderson Cooper 360° (N) (HD) Report Drug lord’s capture. CNN Tonight with Don Lemon CNN Tonight with Don Lemon Report (:54) South Park (:27) South Park South Park (HD) South Park (HD) South Park South Park (HD) South Park (HD) South Park South Park: 136 (6:48) South Park South Park: (HD) Gnomes (HD) (HD) (HD) Animal lord. (HD) Animal lord. (HD) #REHASH (HD) K.C. Undercover K.C. Undercover Home Alone 3 (‘97, Comedy) Alex D. Linz. A home(:45) LEGO Walk the Prank: Bizaardvark: (:05) K.C. Best Friends Girl Meets World 200 (HD) (HD) ridden youth torments a gang of clumsy burglars. Stuck (HD) Puff & Frankie Undercover (HD) Whenever (HD) (HD) 103 Alaskan Bush: Protection Alaskan Bush People (HD) Alaskan Bush People (N) (:01) Legend of Croc Gold (N) (:02) Alaskan Bush People (HD) Alaskan (HD) 35 College Basketball: Kentucky Wildcats at Louisville Cardinals (HD) College Football: BYU Cougars vs Wyoming Cowboys from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego z{| (HD) 39 (6:00) College Basketball (HD) College Basketball: Northern Iowa vs North Carolina z{| (HD) College Basketball: Virginia vs California z{| (HD) Sports (HD) 109 Chopped Baked good. (HD) Cooks vs. Cons (HD) Cooks vs. Cons (N) (HD) Holiday Baking (HD) Holiday Baking (HD) Cooks/Cons 90 Tucker Carlson Tonight (N) The O’Reilly Factor (N) (HD) The Kelly File News updates. Hannity (N) (HD) The O’Reilly Factor (HD) The Kelly File (6:50) The Santa Clause (‘94, Hol i day) aac Tim Allen. Af ter ac ci den tally (:55) Elf (‘03, Hol i day) aaa Will Ferrell. A man who is raised by elves The 700 Club (HD) The Mistle-Tones 131 killing Santa, a divorced father turns into St. Nick. (HD) travels to New York to find his real father. (HD) (‘12) (HD) 42 College Basketball: St. John’s vs Syracuse z{| College Basketball: Vermont vs Butler no~ College Basketball: St. John’s vs Syracuse Love You Like Christ mas (‘16, A Heav enly Christ mas (‘16, Hol i day) Kristin Da vis. A Christ mas Sleigh Bells Ring (‘16, Hol i day) Erin Cahill. Magical sleigh helps a city Help for the 183 Holiday) Bonnie Somerville. (HD) Angel-in-training is assigned a hard luck case that helps her learn. (HD) worker put together a parade and find romance. (HD) Holidays (HD) 112 Buying and Selling (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Property Brothers (N) (HD) Hunters (HD) Hunters (HD) Property Brothers (HD) Prop Bro (HD) 110 American Pickers (HD) Vikings: Two Journeys (HD) Vikings Personal task. (N) (HD) (:01) Real Vikings (N) (HD) (:03) Vikings Personal task. (HD) Vikings (HD) Law & Order: The Dead Wives Club Law & Order: The Brotherhood Law & Order: Law & Order: Gunplay Law & Order: 160 Law & Order: Paradigm Iraqi woman. (HD) Ferry accident. (HD) Correction officer. (HD) Coming Down Hard Suicide drugs. (HD) Green poses as an arms dealer. (HD) Cut (HD) Little Women: Dallas: Little Women: Dallas: Little Women: Dallas: Hello! Little Women: 145 Little Women: Dallas: Friday Night Little Women: Dallas: Fights Tall blind date. (HD) Party Crasher Surprise visitor. (HD) A Little Extra: Man Up (N) (HD) Hello! Goodbye! (N) (HD) Goodbye! Relationship ends. (HD) Dallas (HD) 92 Hardball with Chris (N) (HD) All in with Chris Hayes (HD) The Rachel Maddow Show (N) Lawrence O’Donnell (HD) 11th Hour (HD) Hardball (HD) Maddow (HD) 210 Thunderman Thunderman Shakers SpongeBob Full House Full House Full House Full House Friends (HD) Friends (HD) Friends (HD) 153 (5:30) The Hangover (‘09) (HD) Lip Sync Battle (HD) Lip Sync (N) Awkward (N) Tommy Boy (‘95, Comedy) aaa Chris Farley. Duo saves business. (HD) Galaxy Quest (‘99, Science Fiction) aaa Tim Allen. 152 (5:30) G.I. Joe: Retaliation (‘13, Action) Dwayne Johnson. The Cobra spy Zartan has managed to secretly cripple Incorporated: the G.I. Joes from within by assassinating most of them in an ingenious military cover up. Cost Containment (N) Washed-up actors meet space aliens. The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Surprise! Instant Xmas Carol! Conan (N) (HD) 2 Broke Girls 156 The Big Bang Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Theory (HD) Celebrity carolers. (N) (HD) (HD) Mil dred Pierce (‘45, Drama) Perri (‘57, Fam ily) aaa A fe male pine squir rel has Old Yeller (‘57, Drama) aaaa Dor o thy McGuire. (:15) The Lit tlest Out law (‘55, Drama) aaa 186 Joan Crawford. A love triangle. (HD) adventures in her natural habitat. A pioneer family adopts a stray dog. Joseph Calleia. A Mexican boy runs away with a horse. 157 My 600-lb Life (HD) My 600-lb Life Steady job. (HD) My 600-lb Life: Transformed: Joe (N) (HD) My 600-lb Life: Transformed: Joe (HD) Bones: The Truth in the Myth The Help (‘11, Drama) aaac Emma Stone. In a small town in Mis sis sippi dur ing the 1960s, a white south ern Bones: The Pinocchio in the Planter Bones 158 Chupacabra; making amends. (HD) girl returns home from college and interviews black women about their jobs. (HD) Radical honesty. (HD) Deaf girl. (HD) 129 Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jon Glaser (N) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) Jokers (HD) 161 A Griffith (HD) A Griffith (HD) A Griffith (HD) (:48) Loves Raymond (HD) Loves Ray. Loves Ray. Loves Ray. Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Queens (HD) Little Fockers (‘10, Comedy) aa Robert De Niro. A man focuses on being Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family 132 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (‘13, Comedy) ac Tyler Perry. Madea helps friend pay daughter a visit. a good father while trying to impress his father-in-law. (HD) (HD) (HD) 166 CSI: Miami Lab prank. (HD) CSI: Miami (HD) CSI: Miami: Power Trip (HD) CSI: Miami Delko targeted. (HD) CSI: Miami Russian mob. (HD) CSI Miami 172 Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Cops (HD) Miami Vice (‘06, Action) aac Jamie Foxx. (HD)

A&E

46 130 Duck Dynasty

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BRAVO

CNBC CNN

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DSC ESPN ESPN2 FOOD FOXN

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FREE

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36 16 64

SYFY

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TRUTV TVLAND

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USA

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Coast-to-coast holiday musical celebrations air BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH TBS puts a new twist on the star-studded holiday musical special. Rashida Jones and Charles Barkley host “Surprise! Instant Xmas Carol!” (10 p.m., TV-PG), in which an onslaught of celebrity guests appear to just show up for “impromptu” bouts of caroling in stores and neighborhoods that look like they could use some cheering up. Christmas specials have always been extraordinarily fake. And that’s why we love them. Often shot in sunny California, often in September or earlier, they are festivals of ersatz snow, glitz and tinsel. In the days of yore, fans of specials starring Mitzi Gaynor, Robert Goulet and Kathie Lee Gifford had no problems suspending disbelief. We now live in an era of reality TV, where we have to swallow the appearance of the genuine. So we’re shown cast members of “The Sopranos” (Tony Sirico, Vincent Curatola, Joseph Gannascoli) as they order specialties from an Italian deli before breaking into “Silent Night.” It isn’t realistic for a second, so you have to wonder why they bothered and didn’t just present it as a variety-show comedy sketch. • Filmed on the opposite coast, IFC takes a different approach with “Joe’s Pub Presents: A Holiday Special” (10 p.m.). “Arrested Development” and “Veep” star Tony Hale hosts the variety performances from a venue inside the historic Public Theater in downtown Manhattan. The funk and soul group the Dap-Kings will serve as the house band for the evening. Sharon Jones, the singer for the Dap-Kings, died on Nov. 18 after a long battle with cancer. She was 60. • The real and the fake meet the old and the new in the 2014 animated special “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-G). Based on the 2003 live-action comedy starring Will Ferrell, this cartoon special features stop-motion animation and minimalist sets heavily inspired by 1960s cartoons, specials and set design. But while the look is vintage, the musical numbers are pure contemporary Broadway. The voice of Jim Parsons “stars” in the title role.

TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • A toy company CEO and city mayor blend with employees to better learn how to manage them on the two-hour season premiere of “Undercover Boss” (8 p.m., CBS, TVPG). • “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG) helps a family celebrate the holidays and their Mexican heritage. • Sisters break out of foster care intent on becoming divas on the repeat pilot episode of

“Star” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14). • A power failure leaves the wards in the dark on “Code Black” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14). • “TIME Presents: Milestones 2016 — A Tribute to the Stars We’ve Lost” (9 p.m., Reelz) is a perfect fit for a network increasingly dedicated to celebrity necrology.

• Robin Roberts showcases people who proved influential over the past year, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael Phelps, Chance the Rapper, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Ashley Graham on “Game Changers With Robin Roberts” (10 p.m., ABC). • Ragnar negotiates Ecbert

into concessions on “Vikings” (9 p.m., History, TV-14).

CULT CHOICE A Disney True-Life Adventure, the 1957 documentarystyle feature “Perri” (8 p.m., TCM) followed the life passages of a squirrel.

Are you looking for work? We ﬁll Permanent and Temporary jobs in the greater Sumter area. Current Openings:

MARK TAYLOR Branch Manager

Reliable Medical Equipment of SC For all your medical equipment needs Respiratory – Orthotics – Prosthetics Ambulatory – Wheelchairs

NMLS #79695 PHONE: (803) 468-0021 OFFICE: (803) 905-3205 MTaylor@MiMutual.com www.MiMutual.info/MTaylor

(803) 934-9212

Receptionist/Clerical P/T Admin. Asst. F/C Bookkeeper HR Recruiter Production Processor

Come by McLaughlin Ford for all your automotive “Sales & Service”

For details about these and other positions, go to williamstemporary.com Apply in person at:

246 Broad St Sumter, SC 29150

(803) 435-9927 37 W. Rigby St Manning, SC 29102

• • • • •

2640A Hardee Cove Sumter, SC 29150

Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #12901 Branch NMLS#: 1483165

Norman Williams & Associates, Inc.

GOOD CREDIT, NO CREDIT, BAD CREDIT–NO PROBLEM!

773-1481

344 W. Liberty St. 803-775-5308

950 N. Main Street • Sumter, SC • 1-800-948-7764

www.mclaughlinford.com

Happy Holidays from fr r om

Guignard Feed Store Come see us for all your feed and tack needs.

803.934.1484 470 S. Guignard Dr. Unit 4 GarageDoorsSumterSC.com

10% Off

Purchase Expires Dec.31

Victor Brand Dog Foods • Diamond Dog Food • Nutrena (chicken, horse & cow) Feed Goat and Hog Feeds and Horse Tack Supplies

1208 S. Guignard Dr. • Sumter, SC • 803.775.9497

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Stop here for great rates with America’s #1 car insurance company**. Give me a call today. Tammy Kelly, Agent 105 E Wesmark Blvd Sumter, SC 29150 Bus: 803-773-8322 tammy.kelly.ngge@statefarm.com

statefarm.com® *Average annual per household savings based on a 2015 national survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. 1005000.1

**Based on A.M. Best written premium. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company – Bloomington, IL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

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Peppermint Bark Spritz Cookies are shown, from a recipe by Elizabeth Karmel.

A new, improved way to eat peppermint bark BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

have always loved peppermint and chocolate together, and peppermint bark is my favorite way to eat it.

Or it was — until I created this peppermint bark variation of my favorite childhood Christmas cookie. My mother made spritz cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember. She always made the simple butter cookies in both chocolate and vanilla, and we decorated them with colored sugar sprinkles. My favorite shape was the poinsettia because you could eat the cookie one petal at a time. The hardest thing about making this recipe is using the cookie press. There is no way around it — you need a cookie press. My mother used her mother's cookie press until it stopped working, and since then, we have both purchased many cookie

presses trying to find one that was smooth and easy to work. A cookie press looks like the culinary version of a caulking gun and deposits only enough dough to make one cookie. I tried quite a few presses, and the best one that I have found so far is the OXO cookie press. I also love that it comes with all the traditional patterns like the Christmas tree, wreath and several flowers but also has an elegant fleur de lis and a heart. You can also buy extra seasonal discs and make spritz year round. The extra Christmas discs also have a great bow design that would be perfect for baby and bridal shower parties. Once you have a good press, all you need to make the cookie dough is a bowl and a blending fork, or your hands. I've taken the basic chocolate spritz cookie recipe and instead of decorating with sugar, I decorate with melted chocolate, sprinkling with crushed peppermint candies and drizzling with white chocolate to create my Peppermint Bark Spritz Cookie.

PEPPERMINT BARK SPRITZ COOKIES Cookie presses like the OXO Good Grips with stainless-steel discs work better than presses with plastic plates. Servings: 30 (Makes about 5 dozen) 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 2 squares (2 ounces) unsweetened chocolate, melted 2/3 cup granulated white sugar 3 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour Topping: 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted 2 ounces white chocolate, melted 1 cup crushed peppermint candies Preheat oven to 400 F Mix butter, unsweetened chocolate and sugar together until creamy. Add egg yolks one at a time to combine. Add vanilla and mix thoroughly. Using your hands or a blending fork, work in the flour, a little at a time, until smooth. Divide dough into 2-3 pieces and roll them into a tube shape and cover with wax paper. Chill dough

for 30 minutes. When the dough is chilled, place the roll in the cookie press tube and choose cookie plate for your design. Press the cookies out one at a time onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet after 1 minute, and gently place on a cooling rack. Let cookies cool completely. Melt chocolate and place in a decorating bag or a re-closeable plastic bag. When ready to decorate cookies, snip a small corner at one end of the bag for the chocolate to flow through. When the cookies are cool, carefully drizzle melted semisweet chocolate on the top of the cookie. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies so the candy will stick to the chocolate, then drizzle with melted white chocolate. Place in refrigerator to set the chocolate for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in container in a cool place. Nutrition information per serving: 146 calories; 73 calories from fat; 8 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 35 mg cholesterol; 3 mg sodium; 17 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 2 g protein.

Start the day right with French Toast Casserole BY FAMILY FEATURES As the days get shorter and a chill fills the air, families across the country will gather for meals, celebrating time-honored traditions while making new memories around the table. Now more than ever, many families place a priority on sharing simple, natural foods together — foods they can feel good about enjoying every day and especially during the holidays. There’s an easy way to incorporate more wholesome ingredients to family mealtimes, and it’s a staple many Americans already have in their refrigerators: milk. As one of the original farm-to-table foods, milk is a simple

way to add quality nutrition to a sweet or savory dish. With nine essential nutrients including 8 grams of high-quality protein per 8-ounce serving, you can feel confident serving your family milk during the holiday season and all year-round. This holiday, start your day off right, and gather your family around the breakfast table to enjoy classic favorites, like this French Toast Casserole. It’s made with good-foryou ingredients like milk for an extra nutrient boost of protein, calcium, vitamin D and more. For more seasonal recipes and ideas to add to your list of holiday traditions, visit milklife.com.

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE Servings: 8 Nonstick cooking spray 1 1/2 cups lowfat or fat free milk 5 eggs 1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg salt, to taste 1 loaf day-old bread, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick pieces maple syrup or sauteed apples (below) Sauteed Apples: 2 tablespoons butter 3 medium tart-sweet apples (such as Braeburn), diced 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup fresh blackberries (optional) Coat 8-by-8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, to taste. Add bread slices, and let stand 10 minutes to soak up some custard. Arrange slices in baking dish in

Building Wealth for Over a Century

two rows, standing up on end. Slowly pour any remaining custard over bread. Cover dish with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 350 F. Uncover dish and bake 45 minutes, or until bread puffs slightly and browns. Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add apples and sugar, and cook 3 minutes, or until sugar melts and apples are soft but not mushy. Stir in lemon juice, vanilla and berries, if desired. Serve warm over French Toast Casserole. Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 9 g fat; 4 g saturated fat; 190 mg cholesterol; 11 g protein; 55 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber; 350 mg sodium; 150 mg calcium (15% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using fat free milk.

Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Get Your Tickets Today!

L. Travis McIntosh, AAMS Senior Vice President

Charles V. Noyes, II Vice President

R. Kirk McLeod, III Financial Advisor

690 Bultman Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-2700 BBTScottStringfellow.com

*Must have a ticket to join the party BB&T Scott & Stringfellow is a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. BB&T Securities, LLC, is a wholly owned nonbank subsidiary of BB&T Corporation. Securities and insurance products or annuities sold, offered or recommended are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not guaranteed by a bank, not insured by any federal government agency and may lose value.

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Home Improvements

ANNOUNCEMENTS Card of Thanks

All out Home Improvements We beat everybody's price Licensed & Bonded 803-316-8969

Lawn Service

Thank You

J.W. Lawn Service Leaf removal, hedges, pine straw, mulch, pressure wash, & much more! Call 803-406-1818

Legal Service Attorney Timothy L. Griffith 803-607-9087, 360 W. Wesmark. Criminal, Family, Accident, Injury

MERCHANDISE Firewood For Sale Tons of fire wood premium seasoned oak. u haul $50 per pick up load, delivered 1 cord $130. Call Collins Tree Service 803-499-2136 Firewood for sale. $45 per load. Will deliver locally for free. Call 803-499-3843.

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales LARGE GARAGE SALE Every Weekend Tables $2 & $3

Septic Tank Cleaning

FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend. Call 803-494-5500

For Sale or Trade To the family and friends of the late Mr. Ferdinand Burns, we would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to us during the loss of our loved one. We will always cherish your reflections on his life. Your sympathy and thoughtfulness continues to be great comfort to us in our time of sorrow and will always be gratefully remembered and deeply appreciated. The Family

BUSINESS SERVICES Child Care

Septic Tank Cleaning Call the pros for all of your septic pumping needs. 803-316-0429 Proline Utilities, LLC

Tree Service A Notch Above Tree Care Full quality service low rates, lic./ins., free est BBB accredited 983-9721

Washer & Dryer $150 Each Call 803-305-9265 anytime 12x20 Storage building, wired, insulated, paneled, roll up door 803-464-6927 FIREWOOD Seasoned/Green $75 Delivered. Notch Above Tree Service. 983-9721

Ricky's Tree Service Tree removal, stump grinding, Lic & ins, free quote, 803-435-2223 or cell 803-460-8747.

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves. Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311. Open 7 Days a week 9am-8pm

STATE TREE SERVICE Worker's Comp & General liability insurance. Top quality service, lowest prices. 803-494-5175 or 803-491-5154 www.statetree.net

Golden Kernel Pecan Co. 1200 C Pocalla Rd 968-9432 We buy pecans, sell Pecan halves, Chocolate & all flavors & Fruit cake mix. Gift Pkgs avail. M-F 9-5 Sat 9-1

Open your heart and home. Become a foster parent. Foster parents have the opportunity to enhance skills and access to resources 24/7. To learn more contact Lakeisha at 803-237-8153

PETS & ANIMALS

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H.L. Boone, Contractor: Remodel paint roofs gutters drywall blown ceilings ect. 773-9904

Jack Russel puppies, AKC registered, $400 ea. Call 803-464-0214 Days 803-494-3473 nights

Heaven on a Hill shelled PECANS $7.50 per lb. Johnny Hilton 803-468-4054 2691 Wedgefield Rd.

Help Wanted Full-Time

Unfurnished Apartments

Director of Residential Services Provides comprehensive wellness and activities for Independent Seniors Living in a premier CCRC. Prefer degree in wellness, gerontology, or health care. Strong background in hospitality, a must. This is a salaried, department head position. Send Vita and salary requirements to: rlinder@covenantplace.org

Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette. 775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

Night Shift Supervisor Full Time -Monday through Friday, with rotating call and occasional weekends required. RN or LPN with MDS experience preferred but not required. Long Term Care, Medicare and Charge Nurse experience necessary. This position is responsible for the day to day operations in the 44 bed skilled care unit, under the direction of the Director of Nursing. Apply in person to: Covenant Place 2825 Carter Road Sumter, SC 29150

Huntington Place Apartments Rents from $625 per month 1/2 Month free* *13 Month lease required Powers Properties 595 Ashton Mill Drive 803-773-3600 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5

Experienced Electricians needed. Must have valid driver's license and own transportation. Call: 803-968-2304 Kershaw County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs 1619 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Camden SC 29020 803-432-4841 Equal Opportunity Employer Job Posting December 2, 2016 Open Positions LPN: part-time position - flexible hours: Must have a High School Diploma or GED and vocational or technical school in nursing. Minimum of one year experience as LPN; must have current state Board of Nursing LPN license and must keep the license current during tenure of employment in this position. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a valid SC driver's license. Must have computer skills. (closing date 12/21/2016). Apply in person.

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Unfurnished Homes 3BR 1BA House on Burgess Ct. C/H/A $545 Mo. 803-983-5691 3BR 2BA Alice Dr Schools $930 Mo+ Dep Call M-F 8:30-5:30 803-775-1281.

Mobile Home Rentals

Manufactured Housing M & M Mobile Homes, Inc. Now selling New Wind Zone II Champion and Clayton Homes. Lots of floor plans available to custom design your home. Nice used refurbished homes still available also. Bank and Owner financing with ALL CREDIT SCORES accepted. Call 1-843-389-4215 Like us on Facebook M & M Mobile Homes.

Land & Lots for Sale Mobile Home Lot â&#x20AC;˘Scenic Lake Dr $5200 Call Burch Home Lot â&#x20AC;˘79 Capri St. $9500 Call Burch 803-720-4129 6 ac. MH site, $23,500 or 11 ac, or 22 ac. on Shilo Raccoon Rd. Owner fin. Call 843-231-1111 For Sale! 5 acres, flat & cleaned residential comm. Sugar Hill area Manning, Sc. Call 803-473-3310

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3BR & 2BR, all appliances, Sumter area. Section 8 accepted. 469-6978.

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Scenic Lake MHP 2 Bedroom 2 bath , No pets. Call between 9am - 5 pm 803-499-1500

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 Br, Sec. 8 803-494-4015

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Refurbished batteries as low as $45. New batteries as low as $59.95. Auto Electric Co., 102 Blvd Rd. 803-773-4381

Local Automotive Dealership lookingg for Full Time Partss Salesperson.

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Fuel Bonus â&#x20AC;˘ Driver Incentive â&#x20AC;˘ Weeks Out Bonus â&#x20AC;˘ Safety Bonus â&#x20AC;˘ Guaranteed Minimum Pay Must Have: CDL (Class A) License â&#x20AC;˘ Haz and Tanker Endorsement Minimum 2 years experience â&#x20AC;˘ Clean Driver Record

Excellent Pay Paid Vacation Paid Holidays Paid Sick Days Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Short Term Disability 401(k) w/co. Match

CONTACT Pat Joyner at 803-775-1002 Ext. 107 OR visit our website to download a job application and fax to (954) 653-1195 www.sumtertransport.com 170 S. Lafayette Drive Sumter, SC 29150 EOE

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Have a safe and Merry Christmas! Business oďŹ&#x192;ce will be closed December 23rd, 26th and January 2

36 W. Liberty Street â&#x20AC;˘ Sumter, SC 803-774-1200

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