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Paddleboarding grows as sport Poinsett State Park offers intrepid a chance to try it D1 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
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A fountain of memories flows as Cut Rate celebrates 80th birthday BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Zenobia Johnson-McKnight, Eric Mcknight and Jamana Johnson Moore enjoy cheap hot dogs and drinks Saturday morning as part of Sumter Cut Rate Drugstore & Soda Fountain’s 80th anniversary celebration.
Elvis did not make an appearance at Sumter Cut Rate Drugstore & Soda Fountain, 32 S. Main St., during its 80th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, but his presence would not have disturbed the atmosphere in the least. While the store was full of people enjoying the anniversary specials of 5-cent coffee and Cokes, 80-cent sausageand-gravy biscuits or hot
dogs, the main reason people pack the store was to see old friends and take in the ‘50s and ‘60s vibe of one of downtown Sumter’s star attractions. “We’ve been extremely busy,” said Operations Manager Todd Touchberry. “People were waiting at 8 a.m. for the doors to open, and we didn’t open until 9 a.m.” Carolyn Huggins enjoyed a soda as she sat at one of the ‘60s-era chrome stools and said her memories of the
August is ‘Play Ball Month’ Mayor issues proclamation BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com During the most recent Sumter Family Softball gathering on Thursday at South Sumter Park, Sumter City Councilman Calvin Hastie read a proclamation from Mayor Joe McElveen declaring August “Play Ball Month” in the city. Even with dark clouds overhead, the group got out on the field to play but stopped once the heavy rain started to fall. While standing under the shelter of a dugout, Hastie read the proclamation to the participants who were also avoiding the rain. According to the proclamation, Play Ball Month is being recognized through a collaboration between United States Conference of Mayors, Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball. Sumter is one of more than 125 cities to have been designated “Play Ball” cities, according to a news release from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The news release states that as a Play Ball city, McElveen must sponsor a baseball or softball-related event during the month of August. The community softball event started in July as a way to bring together residents of Sumter. Hastie said everyone in the Sumter community is welcome to come to the weekly softball event, sponsored by OneSumter.
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store go back to her childhood. “My dad retired from Air Force after World War II and moved to Dalzell,” she said. “My fondest memory is of him bringing me here as a reward for being good, and I would get a Coke and a pimento-cheese sandwich — that’s still my favorite.” Huggins, who is a retired kindergarten teacher, said she remembers when you had to
SEE CUT RATE, PAGE A7
Playground dedicated in honor of Bethel teacher BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com
RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Before a drenching rain ended Thursday night’s community softball game, Kwaleek Jones, 14, gets a hit. The Thursday night games are an attempt to bring the community together. The proclamation states that baseball is important to a community because it teaches “valuable life lessons of teamwork, perseverance, leadership and sportsmanship” and “has formed a diverse culture showcasing a snapshot of where
“It’s been a great way for the city to come together over something that’s not controversial,” he said. He said the softball event has brought together people from different neighborhoods and of differing backgrounds and races.
America stands today.” Sumter is described as a “baseball city” in the document, something that McElveen would like to continue for future generations. A big fan of baseball,
SEE PLAY BALL, PAGE A7
DEATHS, A9 Fred D. McFadden Luther L. Truesdale Alvin L. Jackson Patricia Sinkler Lillie Mae Plowden
Members of Bethel Baptist Church dedicated its new playground recently in memory of a woman who served as the church’s Sunday school teacher for 65 years. Pauline Craig Griffin began teaching Sunday school at the church at age 17. She joined Bethel at age 12, after moving to Sumter with her family from Mountain Park, North Carolina. “She was the epitome of a true Southern lady,” said Shirley Osborne, a member of the church who was on the committee to get the playground built. “She was softspoken and had an innate ability to love others, especially children.” Griffin taught first and secGRIFFIN ond grade at the church’s Sunday school until age 82. When she passed away in January 2013 at age 87, she designated in her will a fund that went to the church. When members decided to redo the church’s playground, which had been there for at least 45 years, a portion of that fund covered the new equipment. A dedication ceremony was held at the new playground, renamed “Pauline’s Place,” in July, and a memorial stone, was placed in front of it. “She was a very loving and caring person,” said Mark Dively, Sunday school director and chairman of the church’s building and grounds committee. “She would do whatever she could for anyone and had a passion for teaching children.” Griffin’s daughter, Judy McCabe, quoted Ephesians 4:11 when describing her mother: “It was He who gave some to be teachers. “To my mother this gift was given in abundance,” McCabe said. “For 65 years, she delighted in teaching little ones about Jesus. For 87 years, she delighted everyone who crossed her path. Her kindness, patience, love and faith truly defined her. She
Freddie Ford Jr. Tony O. Wells Wilbert Dukes Roosevelt Livingston
SEE GRIFFIN, PAGE A7
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DAY
5 SECTIONS, 34 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 249
Mostly sunny and slightly cooler today with a light breeze; mostly clear tonight and seasonably warm.
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