Remembering James Farmer, standout SHS athlete
C3
PANORAMA
Theatre presents 2016-17 season ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ kicks it off starting September 1-4, 8-11 C1 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016
$1.50
IN SPORTS: Crestwood standout opens practice with USC
‘Dance Like Yo Daddy’
B1
Stock up on those garters; tax holiday next weekend BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Dancers from schools across Sumter County converged Saturday morning at Wise Drive Baptist Church to learn and perform the national dance, this year’s choreographed to Meghan Trainor’s “Dance Like Yo Daddy,” as part of National Dance Day on Saturday.
Wise Drive Baptist Church hosts 6th annual National Dance Day celebration BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Several families hit the dance floor, or lawn, as they celebrated the 6th annual National Dance Day at Wise Drive Baptist Church on Saturday. National Dance Day was started in 2010 by Dizzy Feet Foundation, cofounded by Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and judge of "So You Think You Can Dance," to promote good health and exercise through dance. Each year, a popular song is selected
to create choreography. This year's dance was choreographed to Meghan Trainor's song "Dance Like Yo Daddy," a song that encourages people to have fun dancing no matter who is watching. Two local dance schools, Dreamworks Academy and Miss LIbby's School of Dance, participated in Sumter's celebration. Dreamworks sponsored the event and Ariel Mack, company director at Miss Libby's School of Dance, taught the choreography to Saturday's participants.
Mack said she and another instructor also spent two weeks teaching the dance school students the choreography. It's a good time to be energetic with other people in the community, she said. Jennifer Sederlund brought her three children to Wise Drive Baptist Church on Saturday. National Dance Day is a great idea, she said. Anybody can dance, even if they think they can't, she said. "It's all art."
SEE DANCE, PAGE A7
B-66 Association to visit Sumter and Shaw BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com According to the B-66 Destroyer Association, it has been more than 40 years since the last B-66 squadron was assigned to Shaw Air Force Base. From 1966 though 1974, squadrons of B-66 were based at Shaw, mostly used for reconnaissance. A B-66 Destroyer Association reunion in Charleston will include a visit to Shaw Air Force Base and Sumter on Aug. 30. The group is inviting anyone who lives in the Sumter or Columbia areas who flew, maintained or supported the Douglas Destroyers to join them
SEE B-66, PAGE A9
VISIT US ONLINE AT
the
.com
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO
Workers prepare a B-66 for display near Bultman Drive and Guignard Drive near what was then known as the Technical College. The plane is now on display at Shaw Air Force Base.
DEATHS, A9 Reuben L. Dozier Jean-Luc E. Grosso Earnest Choice Gladys L. Miott
Rosa L. McDuffie Joe H. Nelson Irene J. Schmidt Virginia W. Leneau
Need a purse? Next weekend will be a good time to buy one; purses are among the items which qualify for a tax break during South Carolina’s Sales Tax Holiday weekend from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7. During the holiday, South Carolina shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase a number of back-to-school items — and much more — without paying state sales taxes. For one weekend every summer, specific items are exempt from the 6 percent state sales tax and any applicable local sales taxes. The holiday is part of a nationwide trend originally meant to ease the pain of getting children ready for the school year. “South Carolinians look forward to the tax-free weekend each year,” said Rick Reames, director of South Carolina Department of Revenue. “It is a great opportunity for parents to save money while shopping for back-toschool items, and businesses also benefit from the increased foot traffic.” During the 17th annual Sales Tax Holiday, shoppers are expected to save an estimated $2.25 million, according to S.C. Board of Economic Advisers. Of course, when the government gets involved, nothing is as simple as it might seem. Many of the tax-free items certainly are back-to-school oriented, including paper, notebooks, pens and pencils, book bags, computers, clothing and shoes. Bed linens, and bath towels? Well you don’t want to send the tykes off to get an education grumpy and dirty. But why are bridal gowns, veils, garters and corsets taxfree? Certainly seems like the taxman isn’t wedded to sticking strictly to school-oriented items. Hair bows and clips are on the list, but not wigs. Cheer up if you're bald, however; scarves will be tax free. And fishing boots, waders and ski boots certainly are good for that foot traffic, Reames mentioned. Eyewear is not on the list, but if little Johnny can’t see, maybe a tight corset will get his eyes a little closer to the blackboard. And don’t forget, if you need a purse, next week is the perfect time to buy one, a great place to keep the money you save. If you need a wallet, however, you’re out of luck. Sorry guys, it's good thing those tax-free slacks and jeans have pockets. For more information, visit www.scdor.gov.
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
HOT AND STORMY
5 SECTIONS, 34 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 242
Hot and humid with good chance of storms in the afternoon and into early evening; warm overnight. HIGH 95, LOW 74
Business D1 Classifieds D5 Comics E1
Opinion A8 Outdoors D4 Television E3