December 26, 2014

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IN SPORTS: St. Francis Xavier basketball squad eyes another region crown B1 RELIGION

There’s a lot to learn from freeing a goat FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014

| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894

Church serves Christmas meal to those in need

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75 cents

Volunteers and community members prepare for Jehovah Missonary Baptist Church’s annual Christmas Dinner.

It’s just a week until tradition is ‘lights out’ BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com

PHOTOS BY KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Corey Pringle, Delia Bennett,4, and Domenick Childs enjoy the free Christmas Meal at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday.

Volunteers reach out to less fortunate BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com The M.H. Newton Family Life Center was bustling Thursday. Volunteers were serving up some traditional favorites — ham, turkey, yams, green beans, rice, cabbage and all manner of pies — along with fellowship and cheer at the fourth annual community Christmas meal. “It’s good to give back and help others,” said Wyteria Andrews, a first-time assistant who was waiting tables. “I wanted my kids to experience something like this, to see it’s not just about getting but giving.” From handing out tickets to waiting on tables, a number of church youth were helping out. “It’s actually fun,” said Zariah Wiley, 12. “(It’s) a church activity and

feeds the needy. I wanted to do that.” The 2014 meal was really designed to be a chance for community members to fellowship, said Shekia Bradford, one of the organizers. That’s why the team that put it together sent invitations to area organizations such as the police department and local businesses, she said. Not only could people walk in and get a meal, but Jehovah Missionary Baptist sent out church buses to pick people up, said Ricky Simmons, youth pastor. “It’s nice,” said Kennon Green, father of four. “Everything is put together, and it’s very good food. It’s a blessing.” While it was his family’s first time at the holiday event, it was the third year for a mother of two. “It’s a wonderful experience,” she said. “It’s great for those who don’t

have an opportunity to get a meal. That’s what this season is all about — it’s what life is, really — reaching out to your neighbors and others. It helps bring the community together, and let’s people know we care.” Those that ate on site could get a to-go plate, too, Bradford said. Take out was also delivered to shut-ins and shelters, Simmons said. “We have a long list of people who cannot come,” said Senior Pastor Marion Newton. “They are confined to their homes for health conditions. I’m so glad we have people who have the heart for those that are less fortunate. We hope to be a blessing to those that come in and those that couldn’t.” All combined, Bradford said they expected to serve 500 people. Last year, the event fed 300.

If you haven’t seen the light displays at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens or you want to take another gander, you have less than a week left. Boasting more than 1 million lights and one of the largest free displays in the state, Fantasy of Lights opens nightly through Dec. 31 at dusk. On Sunday through Thursday, the grounds at 822 W. Liberty St. are open until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays the display is open until 10 p.m. On Jan. 2, City of Sumter workers will start taking the lights down, a process that takes about two months, said Lonnie McCoy, garden specialist. “If you want to survive putting them up, you’ve got to take them down the right way,” said Art Hill, parks and garSWAN LAKE dens manager. FANTASY McCoy is OF LIGHTS one of the creSCHEDULE ators of the Tonight and 450 individual Saturday: designs on display. Dusk until 10 p.m. “It’s a team Sunday through effort,” he Wednesday: said. “The Dusk until 9 p.m. main crew is Location: 822 W. about 10 peoLiberty St. ple.” For more: call the Each year, Swan Lake Visitors he tries to add Center at 1-800-688four or five 4748 new images. “Sometimes we have to ask the younger generation who’s popular now,” Hill said. Crews try to keep it fresh, too, by changing up those that move with still images and colored versus white lights or even changing the colors of trees from one year to the next, McCoy said. “I get the most enjoyment when somebody figures it out, when they recognize a character,” he said. He’d like to add more animation, McCoy said, and his favorite design is the helicopter at the Heath Pavilion. He also likes the challenge of the one with Santa in a backhoe trying to put the star on top of the tree, McCoy said. Hill likes the blue tree near the entrance. “Everybody says, ‘don’t change that tree,’” McCoy said with a smile. “We also get a lot of compliments on the tree inside a tree.” Other notable displays are Iron Man, Spongebob, Blues Clues, Barney, Bob

What’s Santa doing today after long night of gifts, cookies and chimneys? BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

Santa does after his long night, here’s what he said.

With the help of local writer and former Sumter Item city editor Ken Bell, we managed to get a rare interview with Santa Claus on Thursday morning shortly after he’d finished his deliveries to good little boys and girls around the world. So if you’ve ever wondered what

How are you feeling today? Do you have a problem with jet lag? Santa Claus: I’m a little tired but just knowing there are millions of children’s smiling faces this morning keeps me going. I’ll let you in on a little secret: Santa uses special Christmas magic to be able to deliver

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Santa Claus catches a few winks in his recliner after a night of circumnavigating the globe to drop off presents for children.

toys all over the world in one night. So I usually don’t have a problem with jet lag. Hours seem like minutes on Christmas Eve.

PHOTO PROVIDED

What sort of strategy do you use to be sure you make it to every child’s house? How do you avoid waking them up when you’re delivering their gifts? I rely on the elves to help

SEE SANTA, PAGE A9

DEATHS, B6 Carolyn Martin Lottie C. Matthews Brian K. McLeod John C. Womack Helen Butler Willie M. Jefferson Kenneth E. Crowder Sr. Robert L. Wells Sr.

SEE LIGHTS, PAGE A9

Gainey Mack Jr. Sabrina McDonald Joseph R. Mitchell Lottie M. Mallette Elijah F. Green Rebecca L. Collins Gloria J. Brisbane

WEATHER, A16

INSIDE

BEAUTIFUL DAY AHEAD

2 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 60

Sunny skies in today’s forecast with small chance of rain HIGH 61, LOW 36

Classifieds B7 Comics A14 Lotteries A16

Opinion A15 Religion A11 Television A13


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