June 4, 2014

On Thursday, Friday REMEMBERING THE INVASION OF NORMANDY: a tribute to Ernie Pyle

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

75 CENTS

IN FOOD:

Bourbon makes a wonderful base for a sweet, tangy, bold barbecue sauce C8

Wanted: More Red Cross volunteers Many

sides to freed soldier Bergdahl described as multi-faceted

But of course, the Sandhills Chapter helps in other disaster situations that occur in its four-county coverage area.

“We respond to any type of disaster,” Jennings said. “I don’t think people realize how often we respond to fires.

Just this weekend we helped a family

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl always seemed to be searching for something to define his life.

Growing up in the mountain town of Hailey, Idaho, Bergdahl was as likely to be found inside, poring over a book at a local library, as he was to be spotted outside, riding his bicycle through the hills that border the small town.

Home-schooled, BERGDAHL Bergdahl performed in a ballet. He joined a fencing club; dabbled in foreign languages, including working his way through tomes written in Russian; and he even crewed on a sailboat trip from South Carolina to California.

It may have been that curiosity, combined with his tendency to gravitate toward disciplines such as martial arts, that led him to join the military in June 2008, recalled his former ballet teacher, Sherry Horton.

“I think Bowe would have liked the rigor — that’s what he liked about ballet,” she said. “And it was something that he really believed in, serving the country, and making sure that he was there for the side of good.”

Now, as he recovers from five years as a Taliban prisoner in Afghanistan and amid questions about whether he was a deserter, some who know him say his personality is too multi-faceted to be summed up so neatly in black and white.

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SEE SOLDIER, PAGE A6

JADE REYNOLDS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Armani Priester, a 10th-grader at Lakewood High School, stocks drinks in a fridge in the post-donation area of the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Sumter on Monday. For about four months, she has been volunteering where her mom works and plans to continue into the summer because she “likes helping people.”

As we enter hurricane season, agency says extra help is vital

BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 Even the experts have to practice.

With Gov. Nikki Haley declaring this week Hurricane Awareness Week and the Atlantic hurricane season running June 1 through Nov. 30, the local American Red Cross is holding a number of orientation and training sessions this month to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane.

“The predictions for this hurricane season are low, but it only takes one to hurt a community,” said Nancy Cataldo, executive director of the Red Cross Palmetto SC Region Sandhills Chapter, which serves Sumter, Clarendon, Lee

and Kershaw counties. “We need logistics and workforce partners to come in and help in time of need.”

The National Hurricane Center is predicting about 12 named storms and six hurricanes developing in the Atlantic Ocean in 2014.

The Sumter-based chapter will hold a simulated shelter operation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St. It will bring up challenges such as someone bringing a pet to the shelter when it doesn’t allow pets, Cataldo said.

“It’s a lot of fun, and we learn through it,” said Gerald Jennings, disaster specialist. “We’re constantly needing volunteers with different skills and backgrounds (to provide) the best

care possible for our clients.”

The organization is also looking for large buildings to be donated to use in the event of a storm.

“We have at least one warehouse lined up, but we need a backup plan,” Cataldo said.

DEFINE ‘DISASTER’

YouthBuild students renovate foreclosed home for new owner

BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272 The small house on Wilson Street was in bad shape when it came to the attention of the YouthBuild program.

“When we first got here, all the cabinets were torn out.

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There was debris and trash around the house, and the rug had holes in it,” said Oshae Davis, who supervised work on the house by 16 students with the South Sumter Resource Center’s program for GED and work-training students.

YouthBuild students such

as Deonte Andrews weren’t sure what they had signed up for.

“It was pretty wrecked,” Andrews said. “Underneath the house was the worst. All the insulation had to be torn out.”

But Tuesday, those same students were on hand to

DEATHS, B7 Rosa G. Glover Florence Turner-Shadoan Karen G. Stradford-Wright Diamond Black

Rocky Dickson James B. Smith Carol N. Johnson Hannah Seymour

watch the Sumter County Community Development Corp. formally hand the keys to 38 Wilson St. to its new owner.

Students worked for more than a year to get the foreclosed, one-story house ready to be a home again. James Bennett with First Citizens

Bank attended the dedication ceremony to see the end result of this joint effort between CDC’s affordable housing project and youth programs.

“This is a home that unfortunately we had taken in a

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INSIDE

A LITTLE WARMER

3 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES VOL. 119, NO. 197

Expect a storm this afternoon and this evening HIGH 92, LOW 71

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Classifieds B8 Comics C6 Lotteries A8

Opinion A7 Panorama C1 Television C7

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: pressrelease@theitem.com

Seatbelt law violation nets attempted murder suspect

BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com (803) 774-1225 A simple Monday night traffic violation has led to an arrest in an attempted murder case.

According to reports, William Conneil Abrams, 36, of 410 Robney Drive, was pulled over by a Sumter Police Department officer on patrol near the intersection of Hoyt and Warley streets Monday

night for not wearing a seatbelt. Officers arrested Abrams after running his license through the DMV system, which revealed there was a warrant out for his arrest.

Shortly after his arrest, Abrams was listed on SumterLee Regional Detention Center’s website as being charged with attempted murder. Officials have said the charge was levied as part of an ongoing investigation but did not release any specifics concerning

LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Twist again like you did last summer at sock hop The Sumter Elks Lodge invites the public to roll up your jeans and slick back your hair — or roll down your bobby socks and put on your poodle skirt — for its Saturday night sock hop. Debbie Waynick, the director of entertainment, said DJ Grady Brown will provide the music to keep ponytails bouncing for the dance that starts at 8 p.m. and continues until “late.”

Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the Twist, costume and HulaHoop contests. The lodge’s Sunset Grill will be open with a variety of food and beverages for the Elks’ fundraiser.

Waynick said the Elks contribute to Alzheimer’s research, veterans groups and more. Just last week, she said, the lodge awarded 19 scholarships to local students.

The Sumter Elks Lodge is located on Second Mill Pond on West Liberty Street. Exalted Ruler is George Couch.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call the lodge at (803) 773-6324 or Waynick at (803) 565-8294 for tickets or more information.

Clarendon district will hold tax rate hearing Clarendon School District Two will hold a public hearing on the 2014-15 fiscal year operating budget at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 24, at the school district office, 15 Major Drive in Manning.

The proposed millage required to support the budget for 2014-15 is 129.3 mills, an increase of 1.9 mills.

A designated time will be allotted to anyone who wishes to speak concerning the issue. For more information, call the district at (803) 435-4435.

Manning council calls meeting for Thursday Manning City Council will have a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday at Manning City Hall, 411 N. Brooks St. The agenda includes the first reading of an ordinance to provide for the issuance and sale of a general obligation bond, not to exceed $875,000. The ordinance will also describe the purpose, proceeds, payment and sale of the proposed bond.

Anyone in need of assistance to attend this meeting may call Duan Davis at (803) 435-8477.

CORRECTION In Saturday’s edition of The Sumter Item, it was announced that Sumter School District would begin its Seamless Summer Feeding Program soon.

The dates for the program this year will be June 9 to Aug. 1.

the original incident. He is in custody at the jail awaiting a bond hearing.

During a patdown, officers reABRAMS portedly pulled $1,438 in cash from Abrams’ front pants pocket. Abrams was then taken to jail, and his car was towed.

Officers then inventoried Abrams’ 2002 Crown Victoria.

Inside, they found a purple liquor bottle bag beneath the driver’s seat that contained 38 grams of suspected marijuana in two plastic bags, 20.4 grams of suspected crack cocaine wrapped in three bags and a black digital scale.

Further search of the vehicle yielded a 12-gauge shotgun, a .410 double-barrel shotgun, a 17-round magazine and a bag containing 109 rounds of 9 mm bullets. Abrams’ criminal record reportedly

prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The weapons, ammunition and drugs found in Abrams’ vehicle resulted in several charges being levied against him, including possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, first offense; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; manufacture or distribution of methamphetamine; and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Farmers optimistic on yields Locals expect good crops despite unusual weather

BY JIM HILLEY (803) 774-1211 jim@theitem.com “Farmers are wrapping up spring planting, and the wheat harvest has begun,” said Clemson University Extension Agronomist David DeWitt on Tuesday. “Most everybody got started either Friday or (Monday).”

“It is too early to tell the quality of the crop, but it looks promising,” he said.

“I haven’t heard of any yields yet,” DeWitt said. “Most people are just starting to get the combines set up good, so I don’t have a firm idea of what they are getting yet. I walked some fields, and I think it’s going to be a pretty fair yield. Most of the fields I walked looked pretty good.”

DeWitt said recent scattered precipitation has been hit and miss.

“That’s typical for this time of year,” he said. “We get some people too wet and some people too dry.”

This year’s unusual weather will have some effect on crop yields, he said.

“It was hot and warm early, and then it got cold and damp. Then it got hot quick, and then we had another little cool snap.”

Despite the unusual weather, he said farmers are feeling good about their crops.

“It’s always a time of optimism when farmers go to the fields for harvest,” he said. “That’s the payoff for all the work.”

DeWitt characterized the price of wheat on the market as “fair.”

“A lot of wheat gets tied to the corn board, and the corn board is down a little bit,” he said. “Some wheat ends up being used for feed instead of milling wheat.”

Favorable weather in the Midwest is causing corn prices to fall.

“Unfortunately that’s what we have to compete with,” he said.

He said a lot of farmers in the Midwest will take less than the market price to keep the crop moving off the farms.

“The farmers out there will take less, while we want a price over the market,” DeWitt said. “We want it on a plus basis, delivered locally.”

He said most of the feed mills like to use local grain when they can, but they find the cheapest

JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM

Wheat sits ready for harvest in a field along Old Manning Road on Monday. Despite spells with little rain and cool snaps this spring, Clemson University Extension Agronomist David DeWitt said local farmers are optimistic about harvests. price they can.

Area farmers usually plant soybeans after harvesting the wheat, he said.

“Over the last few years, we have some farmers planting cotton. You lose some yield if you plant this late, but people have been trying it with some success,” he said.

DeWitt said farmers with irrigation sometimes do a wheat-cotton rotation or a wheat-corn rotation.

“If you put soybeans behind it, you are limited with the yield, anyway,” he said.

Most dryland farmers, those without irrigation, plant wheat in October or November and harvest in January, DeWitt said, then turn around and plant soybeans and harvest in November.

Grain sorghum is sometimes grown behind wheat, but he said the market for sorghum is “not looking good right now.”

“The soybean prices have been the

best, along with cotton and peanuts,” he said.

DeWitt said early varieties of corn will start being harvested in July, with most varieties harvested in August or early September.

“By that time, you run into cotton picking and digging peanuts, and then you get into soybeans,” he said.

DeWitt said cotton farmers have been having to deal with thrips.

“They are a little small bug that affects cotton,” he said. “Most farmers have sprayed insecticide for thrips because they have been pretty strong this year. We went through a warm-dry period, and thrips like that.”

He said thrips are hatched on weeds that dry out during dry spells.

“As the weeds dry out they (thrips) move and try to find something green.”

Because of the rains last year, thrips were not much of a problem then, he said.

HOW TO REACH US IS YOUR PAPER MISSING? ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION? 20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 (803) 774-1200 Jack Osteen Editor and Publisher Jack@theitem.com (803) 774-1238 Braden Bunch Senior News Editor bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 Waverly Williams Sales Manager wwilliams@theitem.com (803) 774-1237

Earle Woodward Customer Service Manager earlew@theitem.com (803) 774-1259 Michele Barr Business Manager mbarr@theitem.com (803) 774-1249 Gail Mathis Clarendon Bureau Manager gail@theitem-clarendonsun.com (803) 435-4716

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LOCAL

THE SUMTER ITEM

Students help LeNoir Store hang onto 200-year history

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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Helping out on field day

Class presents shop with money for expenses

BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 This semester, the Hands on History students at Sumter High School have been getting in touch with the history of their very own county. Spending a lot of their time learning and exploring in the 18th-century Carolina Backcountry replica at the Sumter County Museum, the students have received hands-on LENOIR experience in the class taught by John Shipman.

Through this class, senior Matthew Gentry and his classmates were introduced to the LeNoir Store in Horatio — a family owned business that has been around for almost 200 years. After learning that the store could close, the students were inspired to work with Shipman to organize a golf tournament at Links at Lakewood.

Through the tourney and other fundraisers, the students managed to raise $1,000, which they presented to LeNoir Store owners Steve LeNoir and his sister Beverley Johnson.

During a short presentation Tuesday at the store in

POLICE BLOTTER CHARGES Katecia L. Shannon, 30, of 6175 Fish Road, Dalzell, was arrested and charged with criminal domestic violence, third offense, Friday. A warrant issued May 9 alleges the suspect punched a 23-year-old man in the face, bit him in the right jaw area and hit him in the back in the 6100 block of Fish Road.

Willie Alston, 55, of 4505 Leslie Drive, Rembert, was arrested and charged with criminal domestic violence about 10:42 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies responded to a home in the 4000 block of Leslie Drive, Rembert, and found a woman in the front yard with a bloody nose and mouth as well as blood on her T-shirt and forearms.

According to the report, she told law enforcement Alston hit her in the face several times and pushed her into a window.

Ronnie Colclough, 59, of 901 S. Main St., was charged with criminal domestic violence, second offense, after a 24-year-old woman told police a 59-year-old man hit her about the head and arms, cutting and bruising her, at a residence in the 900 block of South Main Street at 11:36 p.m. Friday.

Horatio attended by Shipman, Hands on History students and Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker, the students presented the check to the owners in an effort to help the store.

“What you did is helping a lot, and since the story in The Sumter Item, we have had people come in here, and I’ve gotten a number of these (envelopes),” LeNoir said to the students Tuesday afternoon at the store.

“What you’ve done is help preserve a part of history.”

The LeNoir Store also includes a post office which will soon be forced to cut its hours.

Because of the change in hours, the store is in danger of closing after being started by and remaining in the LeNoir family for years. As the students have learned, the store is historically important to Sumter County.

The present structure was built in 1878 and has been maintained for many years by the descendants of the original founder, Isaac LeNoir.

Steve LeNoir said the general store is in serious need of a paint job as well as a new roof, and the money they have received will go toward those expenses.

SHOTS FIRED About 4:50 a.m. Saturday, police received reports of multiple shots fired outside a residence in the 600 block of Dillon Trace. Upon arrival, investigators found multiple bullet holes in a residence as well as damage to two vehicles outside the residence. Damage to the property was estimated at $1,800. No one was reported injured in the incident.

ASSAULT A 41-year-old man told police a 45-year-old man hit him with an unknown object at an unknown location in Sumter. The victim was transported from his home to Tuomey Regional Medical Center by Sumter EMS. A 27-year-old woman told police a 36-year-old man threw several beer bottles into a wall, shattering them, and then threw her to the floor at a residence in the first block of Clinton Street at 11:10 p.m. Sunday.

A 41-year-old woman told police a 39-year-old man grabbed her by the hair and while holding her punched her repeatedly in the face and arms at a residence in the 400 block of West Bartlette Street.

STOLEN PROPERTY A black Glock 26 9 mm handgun valued at $485 was

PHOTOS BY STAFF SGT. TAIKEILA CHANCEY / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

Chief Warrant Officer Four Jerry White, above center, U.S. Army Central’s information services technician, volunteers at F.J. DeLaine Elementary School during the school’s field day May 28. White was in charge of the jug head station.

Master Sgt. Anthony Sanders, U.S. Army Central’s logistics operations sergeant, left, volunteers for overseeing the egg-ina-spoon station as student Kyasja McBride challenges herself to balance an egg.

reported stolen from a home in the 300 block of Mooneyham Road about 3:35 p.m. Friday.

A black, 50-inch Samsung flat-screen TV valued at $1,300 was reported stolen from a home in the 2000 block of Equinox Avenue, Dalzell, about 11:11 a.m.

Friday.

A silver ring with five diamonds valued at $650; a black 32-inch Vizio flatscreen TV valued at $200; a black 46-inch Sony flatscreen TV valued at $1,100; a black 60-inch Vizio flatscreen TV valued at $1,300; and a silver Apple iPad in a purple case valued at $600 were reported stolen from a home in the 5000 block of Seymour Road, Dalzell, about 3:37 p.m. Friday.

A black 54-inch LG flatscreen TV valued at $700; a black 32-inch Samsung flatscreen TV valued at $250; a

black HP scanner/printer valued at $50; a HP computer laptop valued at $700; a green-and-black electric power washer valued at $200; four 23-inch chrome car rims valued at $1,200; a woman’s gold engagement set valued at $200; and a men’s gold ring valued at $150 were reported stolen from the 2000 block of Remington Drive about 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

A white clothes dryer valued at $300 and a white washing machine valued at $300 were reported stolen from the 2000 block of Kolb Road about 3:33 p.m. Sunday.

A 37-inch Vizio flat-screen TV and a .32-caliber dark gray Ruger revolver handgun with a black grip valued at a combined total of $650 were reported stolen from a home in the 3000 block of McElveen Drive, Dalzell, about 11:42 a.m. Friday.

An engagement ring and a sapphire ring valued at a total of $900 were reported stolen from a home in the 800 block of Aull Street about 2:22 p.m. Friday.

A black trailer valued at $5,000 was reported stolen from a home in the 2000 block of Cains Mill Road about 8:25 a.m. Saturday.

EMS CALLS On Friday, Sumter EMS responded to 42 calls, including 35 medical calls, four motor-vehicle wrecks and three other traumas.

On Saturday, Sumter EMS responded to 44 calls, including 35 medical calls, three motor-vehicle wrecks and six other traumas.

On Sunday, Sumter EMS responded to 34 calls, including 29 medical calls, one fire standby, one motorvehicle wreck and three other traumas.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

Obama: U.S. to boost military presence in Europe

BY NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Obama steps off Marine One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on Monday. He began his three-country trip to Poland, Belgium and France on Monday.

Cultural commission calls for grant applications The Sumter County Cultural Commission, with matching funds from the South Carolina Arts Commission, is offering a small grant program to support artists and arts programming in Sumter County.

In announcing its call for second-quarter grant applications for Sumter County artists, arts organizations and arts programming, the commission said this money is for activities and projects which start during the months of October, November and December. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2015.

Grant applications can be picked up at the business office of the Patriot Hall Performing Arts Center. Interested artists and organizations can also request a grant application by email. Send your request to cbryan@sumtercountysc.org. An application (PDF) will be sent by return email.

Deadline for submitting Second Quarter Grant applications is 4 p.m. Aug. 8.

Hand deliver or mail completed grant applications to: Patriot Hall Performing Arts Center, Attention: Carmela Bryan, 135 Haynsworth St., Sumter, SC 29150.

There is no application fee.

The 2014-15 Sumter County grant program will provide up to $18,000 in matching (1:1) grant funds to support professional and/or amateur artists, arts organizations and other organizations engaged in arts programming in Sumter County. Priority will be given to organizations and individual artists, and all grant applications are competitive and judged on their artistic and/or cultural merit. Grant awards will

range from $150 to $1,000.

The Cultural Commission’s grant program works on a quarterly basis. The deadline for third-quarter projects starting from January through March 2015 is Nov. 7, and the fourth-quarter deadline for projects starting during the months of April, May and June 2015 is Feb. 6, 2015.

The grant funds are distributed as a reimbursement upon receipt of a completed final report and necessary receipts.

Organizations and individuals can submit grant applicants for each of the four quarters and can receive up to a total of $2,000 during each annual grant period.

For more information, contact Carmela Bryan, executive director, Sumter County Cultural Commission at (803) 4362261.

If approved, the funding will be used to increase military exercises and training missions on the continent, as well as roWARSAW, Poland — The tations of air and ground forcUnited States is preparing to es, the White House said. Offiboost its military presence in Europe and at a cost of up to $1 cials said Obama was also seeking to ramp up U.S. Navy parbillion, President Obama said ticipation in NATO deployTuesday, as tensions in the region simmer about Russia’s ag- ments in the Black and Baltic Seas, plus working to boost the gressive actions in Ukraine. military capacity of non-NATO Standing with Polish Presicountries that are in Russia’s dent Bronislaw Komorowski, neighborhood, including Obama said the U.S. plans to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. send more military equipment Obama’s announcement and rotate additional American troops into the region. He called came at the start of a threeon lawmakers in Washington to country swing through Europe steeped in both historical signifprovide the funding to sustain icance and regional anxiety the effort. about the crisis in Ukraine.

Obama’s announcement A day before his first face-tomarks a significant departure from a two-decade trend toward face encounter with Ukraine’s a smaller U.S. military presence newly elected president, Petro Poroshenko, Obama said he in Europe amid a shift by the wants the U.S. and Ukraine to Obama administration to a have good relations with Rusmore visible and active naval sia. But in a warning to Mosand air power presence in the cow, Obama said the U.S. has Asia-Pacific region. Just three contingency plans to protect years ago the Pentagon downevery member of NATO and graded the top U.S. Army Euhas been steadily developing rope commander from a fourthose plans in recent years. star to a three-star general.

“Our contingency plans are “Today, I’m announcing a not just pieces of paper on a new initiative to bolster the shelf,” Obama said, adding that support of our NATO allies here in Europe,” Obama said at the U.S. must and does have the ability to put those plans into Warsaw’s Belweder Palace.

“Under this effort, and with the effect if needed.

At the same time, he called support of Congress, the United on other NATO members to States will preposition more step up by increasing their own equipment in Europe.”

role in the alliance’s collective defense, even as he acknowledged that the U.S. has greater capabilities to bear that burden than its smaller allies.

“Everyone has the capacity to do their fair share, to do a proportional amount to make sure we have the resources, the planning, the integration, the training in order to be effective,” Obama said.

To that end, Komorowski announced that Poland intends to increase its own defense budget, up to 2 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

“It means it’s a very tangible, very clear engagement,” Komorowski said through a translator.

The cautionary notes from Obama and Komorowski came a few days before a potential encounter between Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also planned to be in France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that eventually led to Allied victory in World War II. Obama and Putin haven’t met in person since the crisis began and have no meetings together scheduled.

Calling his relationship with Putin “businesslike,” Obama said it’s possible for the U.S. to rebuild trust with Putin but that doing so would take time and require Putin to use his influence to calm unrest in eastern Ukraine.

Event benefits Wounded Warriors

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left, Special Projects chair Britton Moseley and Sumter Rotary Club president Jamie Campbell present Scott Dault, CFO of Crossroads Wounded Warrior Archery Foundation, with a check for $5,000. The money comes from the proceeds of Sumter Rotary Club’s Farm to Table event.

LOCAL | NATION

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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Steppin’ all over the competition The Lemira Lion Golden Steppers finished the 2013-14 school year with one First Place Overall, seven First Place Elementary Division and one Second Place Elementary Division awards. This year, the 5-year-old team traveled to Charlotte and Fayetteville, North Carolina, and to Augusta, Georgia.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Automakers see big U.S. sales gains in May DETROIT (AP) — Brisk demand for SUVs and pickup trucks — and five sunny weekends — likely pushed U.S. auto sales to a seven-year high in May. Chrysler, Nissan and Toyota all reported double-digit sales gains over last May. Even General Motors, battling bad publicity from a mishandled recall, surprised with a 13 percent sales increase.

Ford’s sales rose a betterthan-expected 3 percent. Of major automakers, only Volkswagen’s sales fell. Volkswagen sales were down 15 percent as the brand prepared to launch the new Golf compact car.

May is traditionally a strong month for the auto industry. This year’s calendar, with five weekends, gave it an extra boost. Sales were particularly strong the last weekend of the month, automakers said.

Analysts were expecting sales to rise 7 percent to 8 percent to 1.56 million in May, helping erase doubts about the strength of the industry. January and February sales were weaker than expected as consumers spent more time shoveling snow than shopping.

“We’re still recovering from the low first-quarter numbers that we saw,” said Jeff Schuster, executive vice president of forecasting for LMC Automotive, an industry consulting firm. “It’s the continued recovery in the summer selling season, kind of everything aligning in the month of May.” Schuster said last month’s sales were strong even without big discounts by automakers. Car buying site TrueCar.com estimated incentives were flat from last May and up 4 percent from April to $2,677 per vehicle.

TrueCar said Hyundai, Kia and Honda had the biggest increases in incentives in May. Chrysler, GM and Nis-

san offered fewer deals.

GM said May was its best month since August 2008.

Sales of its GMC Yukon and Buick Encore SUVs more than doubled, and buyers snapped up the new Chevrolet Corvette. GMC Sierra pickup sales gained 14 percent, while Chevrolet Silverado sales rose 8 percent.

Toyota’s sales increased 17 percent over last May. Nissan’s sales jumped 19 percent on strong demand for new vehicles, including the Sentra small car and Rogue SUV. Chrysler’s sales rose 17 percent, boosted by strong demand for the new Jeep Cherokee small SUV. Chrysler

A 2015 Chrysler 200 automobile moves down the assembly line at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, recently.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

said its Jeep brand sales jumped 58 percent and set an all-time monthly sales record, with 70,203 vehicles sold in May. Ford said it was a record month for the Fusion sedan and Escape SUV, which both topped 30,000 in sales. Sales for the Lincoln luxury brand gained 21 percent as the new MKC small SUV went on sale.

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YOUTHBUILD

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certain situation, and I struggled for two or three years to get rid of it,” he said. “Then, because of our relationship with Gwen (Clyburn, the housing coordinator) and the CDC, I was able to say ‘do you want to take this house?’”

Two separate groups of YouthBuilders, all between the ages of 18 and 25, worked to paint and remodel the interior of the home, learning how to do the work as they went.

“We had to teach them how to cut the wood, hammer a nail and just how to do the measurements,” said Milo Moore, the AmeriCorps program supervisor who worked with the young people on the house.

Once work on the home was complete, Mae Harrison was selected as its new owner. After the home was dedicated in a front-yard ceremony conducted by pastors and elected officials, she finally received her house keys. Harrison, while touring her new house, gushed about the work the students had done.

“I didn’t even know the YouthBuild were going to be working on it. It looks so beautiful,” she said. “It’s great to see them doing something for the community and doing something for young people.”

Tuesday’s dedication ceremony was the first time Harrison had the chance to thank her young builders face to face. “I told them they could come back any time.”

Harrison received her keys from Raymond Smith, federal project officer with the Labor Department who happened to be in town on an inspection of the Resource Center when

Bergdahl’s parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, moved to Hailey about three decades ago in search of peace and quiet, neighbors said. His older sister, Sky, was also home-schooled. He received a high-school GED diploma.

One aspect that residents remember of Bergdahl was his crop of blond hair and his bicycle.

Bergdahl got a job at a coffee shop, showing up looking for a job on his bicycle, said Sue Martin in a 2009 interview. When she was asked why Bergdahl joined the Sun Valley Ballet School, Martin said it was for the beautiful young women.

The smaller children at the school adored him as he would get on the floor and play with them during breaks, Horton said.

“He had the best manners.

Any time someone needed something, Bowe would do it,” said Horton, who is now the owner of diVine, a wine bar in Hailey.

As much as he liked being with people, he liked to “meditate, and sit in nature and just listen to the sounds.

I’m hoping he took that skill

RED CROSS FROM PAGE A1 of two adults and eight children who lost their home.

They had rental insurance.

It’s always better when they do. I preach that wherever I go.”

The nonprofit provides food, clothes, life-sustaining medication and temporary lodging to house-fire victims.

The national average cost to assist a family of four is $1,252, Cataldo said, but Jennings said often families are larger. And that price ON THE tag doesn’t include the NET counseling See upcoming and mental Red Cross health serevents when vices the you visit this Red Cross story online at theitem.com. provides until the client tells the agency he or she is well enough for the Red Cross staff and volunteers to move on to another client, Jennings said.

While the organization is a United Way-funded agency, taking about 15 percent of its budget from that organization, it receives no state or federal funding, Cataldo said.

“We’re expected to hold our own, but we’ll never turn a client away,” Cataldo said.

“We’ll just go out and raise more money.”

Nationally, 91 cents of every dollar goes to Red Cross programs and services, she said.

MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED And at 96 percent, the majority of the national Red Cross’ workforce is made up of volunteers, Cataldo said.

“We run on donations and volunteerism,” Jennings said.

“We depend on the human heart for what we need.”

If disaster work isn’t your forte, the Red Cross has plenty of other areas where you can volunteer.

“We desperately need volunteers for Yellow Ribbon events,” said Janice Oden, Service to the Armed Forces coordinator. “Those are events for the National Guard pre, during or post deployment. We need people to man tables, answer questions and pass out information.”

People can also “adopt” a National Guard unit to check in with on a regular basis to assess needs. Volunteers are also needed to help with Family Days, which are held a couple of times a year during the summer and holidays for the National Guard, too.

She is seeking family follow-up caseworkers as well.

“When an emergency message goes out because of a death in the family or a severe illness, there are four call centers in the U.S. that

BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM

New homeowner Mae Harrison, left, shares a laugh with Vickie Green of G&G Mortgage Services inside her new home. Harrison received the keys to the Wilson Street home, which was rehabbed by members of the Sumter YouthBuild program, in a housewarming ceremony Tuesday.

Tuesday’s ceremony came together.

“I’m very impressed with the turnout.

I’ve seen very few programs where you have every aspect of the community represented,” Smith said.

The builders themselves were left with a sense of accomplishment from the project.

Andrews said participating in the program left him feeling as if he could build his own house, while Davis was inspired to “use what we learned to give back to the community.”

Looking at the fruits of their labor Tuesday, Smith praised the hard work and dedication the young people had shown.

“They have such a positive attitude,” he said. “They’re going to get their GED, go to college and go on to a better life.”

handle that,” Oden said.

“Two or three days later, we need people to call the family to see how they are doing and if they need additional help.

You don’t need to have a degree in social work or psychology.”

The local chapter is also looking for people with military IDs for various volunteer

opportunities on Shaw Air Force Base. Office volunteers are needed for duties such as mail sorting, public affairs, data entry and check-in at the blood donor center.

For more information, to register for volunteer training or to make donations, call (803) 775-2363. You can also visit redcross.org/sc/sumter.

with him and it helped him with the time over there” in Afghanistan, she said.

In 2007, Bergdahl got a job at a local gun club, which included helping shooters on the trap fields, stocking targets and cleaning racks full of rifles. “He was good every which way you looked at it,” manager Dick Mandeville said in 2009.

Like Bergdahl, the town of Hailey isn’t easily characterized. The community prizes privacy, and that trait combined with the posh Sun Valley ski resort next door, has prompted dozens of celebrities to build second homes there.

Mayor Fritz Haemmerle said in a statement the city believes in due process, urging outsiders not to prejudge Bergdahl. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Tuesday left open the possibility of desertion charges against him.

Both of Bergdahl’s parents praised what they described as their son’s toughness and his soft-heartedness.

“I imagine you are more patient and compassionate than ever,” Jani Bergdahl said Sunday. “I love you, Bowe.”

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 H.G. Osteen 1870-1955 Founder, The Item

H.D. Osteen 1904-1987 The Item

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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 Braden Bunch Senior News Editor

20 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150 • Founded October 15, 1894

COMMENTARY

Things that annoy me

M

ost who read my columns think that I’m only annoyed by politicians, growing government and Americans who have little respect or love for liberty and our Constitution. There are other things that annoy me.

One annoyance is people’s seeming inability or unwillingness to differentiate between the number zero and the letter “o.”

I’ve had conversations with telephone operators who have told me that I can reach my party by dialing, for example, 31o-3o55.

Sometimes I’ve asked, “If I follow your instructions, by dialing the letter ‘o’ instead of the number zero, will I reach my party?” They always answer no and that I must dial the zero. Then I ask, “Why did you tell me ‘o’ when you meant zero?” Our chitchat usually degrades after that. It’s not only telephone operators. How many times have you heard a student or teacher say, “He has a 4 point o GPA”?

I wonder whether the confusion stems from the fact that both o’s and zeroes are round. Here’s a Walter definition that distinguishWilliams es them: “O’’ is a vowel and the 15th letter of the alphabet. Zero is defined as any number that when added to or subtracted from another number does not change the value of that number.

I recently made Microsoft Outlook my default email client, but I’m having a bit of a problem with it. When it’s initially turned on, there’s a message that reads, “Trying to connect.” Similarly, on a cloudy morning, I hear weathermen say that the sun will try to come out later. So if Microsoft Outlook didn’t connect or the afternoon didn’t turn out to be sunny, could we say it was because Microsoft Outlook or the sun didn’t try hard enough? But it’s not just computer software technicians and weathermen who use teleological explanations that ascribe purposeful behavior to inanimate objects. Recently, I listened to brilliant lectures on particle physics by a distinguished physics professor, who said that strange quarks want to decay. In a cellular respiration lecture, another professor said that one mole of glucose wants to become 38 units of adenosine triphosphate. I’m wondering how these professors know what strange quarks and glucose moles want to do; have they spoken to them?

You say, “Williams, you’re being too picky! What’s the harm?” There’s a great potential for harm when people come to believe that inanimate objects are capable of purposeful behavior. That’s the implied thinking behind the pressure for gun control. People behave as if a gun could engage in purposeful behavior such as committing crime; thereby, our focus is directed more toward controlling inanimate objects than it is toward controlling evil people.

How many times have you heard a statement such as “Harold and myself were studying”? When one of my students makes such a statement, I sometimes ask, “What if Harold were not studying with you? Would you say, ‘Myself was studying’?” That’d be silly. Words such as “myself ” and “himself ” are reflexive pronouns.

Their proper use requires reference to the subject of the sentence. For example, “Harold injured himself.” A reflexive pronoun can also be used intensively for emphasis, for example, “Harold himself was injured.”

I have another grammar annoyance. How about when people make a statement such as “He is taller than me”? Whenever I hear such an error, I visualize Dr. Martin Rosenberg, my high-school English teacher during the early ’50s, putting both hands on his waist and sarcastically asking the student, “Do you mean ‘He is taller than me am’?” “Am” is the elliptical, or understood or left out, verb at the end of the sentence. The subject of a verb must be in the nominative case. To be grammatically correct, the sentence should be, “He is taller than I.” Considerable evidence demonstrates that most people are not bothered by my petty annoyances. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. It may be that it’s I who is getting old and out of touch, having been educated during ancient times when nonsense was less acceptable.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. © 2014 creators.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR District 6 will be in excellent hands if McCain is elected A friend recently asked me, “Beverly, do you come home often?”

Because my sister, Delaine, and I are the daughters of a United Methodist minister, an itinerant ministry, we call South Carolina “home.”

Reflecting, upon the question made me consider what “home” is. Home is Emmanuel United Methodist Church’s former kindergarten, the place where my formal education began. Home is where my beloved fifth-grade science teacher taught me the definition of science. Home is where my political mentors supported me after electing me as the first female and first African-American to serve as chairperson of the Sumter County Democratic Party. Home is where I began my career as an English teacher at Sumter High School, and home is where I had the privilege of learning the art of journalism at The Sumter Daily Item.

So, when my friend and classmate asked if I come home often, I should have answered, “No, but that error will be rectified, for truly, Sumter is home.”

A posting on Facebook reunited former classmates; then, a

string of congratulatory wishes followed for the classmate who decided to offer his talents and managerial skills to the people of District 6 in the upcoming race for county council.

I, too, offered words of encouragement and advice to my friend and classmate. Over the course of a few months, I listened to him speak of the challenges that face the community. I also observed his compassionate and contemplative approach in solving problems. Listening to his vision for both District 6 and Sumter County convinced me that my hometown will be in excellent hands when you elect James T. McCain Jr. as your new county councilman from District 6.

BEVERLY DIANE FRIERSON Columbia

Mr. Baten saw fit to make a comment on the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department getting a “MRAP” vehicle. He even said they should get a second vehicle. I do not have a problem at all with that. Get a whole fleet if they would feel safer. I just can’t understand why Mr. Baten has a problem with the residents of this country doing the same thing. (I do understand he has to agree

with the Democrats as a whole, after all, he doesn’t want to lose his Democrat card.)

Mr. Baten, I am a law-abiding citizen. My “weapons of mass destruction” and “stockpiled large quantity of ammunition” (your words) are properly and safely secured in my home. Why can’t I do the same thing the sheriff’s department is doing? Like you said, “its better to be prepared than unprepared.” Democrats’ mindset is to have the government take care of every aspect of every citizen (legal or illegal) in this country. In other words, give them everything they want, and you will keep your voter base happy. Sorry, but I would rather work for the things I have. Novel concept, wouldn’t you say?

A couple of weeks ago, I made comments concerning Jim Clyburn on what he said concerning someone not voting their skin color or pigmentation. I asked Mr. Baten to respond, but as of today, he has not commented. It just occurred to me that the way to make a subject in the news go away, is to simply ignore it. My suggestion to Mr. Baten, Mr. Burns, Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson: The next time racism is mentioned, how about simply ignore it?

Maybe, one day, it will go away.

DENNIS E. VICKERS Wedgefield

voters to present state-approved photo identification in order to cast ballots in elections and primaries was upheld by a three-judge federal panel.

Republicans were happy because the GOP-dominated Legislature had its efforts vindicated, with the judges finding no discriminatory intent behind the law. Democrats were happy because the law was, in effect, greatly diluted.

The most important point: In virtually any instance, a voter will be able to cast a ballot on June 10 and in any election, regardless of whether he/she has a photo ID. Judges made clear that ensuring just that was integral to their decision.

The law allows voters to show a state driver’s license, ID issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, S.C. voter registration card, federal military ID or U.S. passport.

But a voter without photo identification is not to be turned away.

“Any reason asserted by the voter ... for not having a photo ID must be accepted,” unless false, and the “ballot counted,” the judges said.

A person who faces a “reason-

able impediment” to getting an acceptable photo ID can vote by signing an affidavit, which will allow the vote to count unless someone proves to the election commission that the affidavit is false.

Among acceptable reasons for not having a photo ID: a conflict with work schedule, a disability or illness, a lack of transportation, lack of a birth certificate, family responsibilities, religious objection to being photographed and “any other obstacle you find reasonable.”

Other states’ laws that have been rejected by the courts are not as accommodating to people without photo IDs, and the court battles are ongoing. Some states will reject South Carolina’s leniency. Yet it would seem the Palmetto State’s law could show the way for the U.S. Supreme Court in making the final call.

The South Carolina law as it stands now protects the right to vote for all as the election process advances toward identification standards comparable to those found in everyday life. At some point in the future, voters without photo IDs will be a rarity.

Why can’t residents do what sheriff’s department does?

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP Recent editorials from South Carolina newspapers:

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg June 3

ID law shouldn’t hinder voting on June 10 A week from today, South Carolinians will go to the polls in primary elections that will decide which candidates face off in November’s general election.

The primaries will be the largest major test to date for South Carolina’s voter-identification law approved by the Legislature and upheld in court in 2012.

As other states continue to fight over laws with requirements such as photo ID cards, they should look at how the battle played out in South Carolina and the end result, though it remains likely that the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately will have to weigh in on the matter nationwide.

While similar laws in other states have been overturned, the South Carolina statute requiring

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letter to letters@theitem.com, drop it off at The Sumter Item office, 20 N. Magnolia St., or mail it to The Sumter Item, P.O. Box 1677, Sumter, SC 29151, along with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposes only).

Letters that exceed 350 words will be cut in the print edition but available in their entirety at www.theitem.com/opinion/letters_to_editor.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

SUPPORT GROUPS AA, AL-ANON, ALATEEN: AA — Monday-Friday, noon

and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 7751852.

AA Women’s Meeting — Wednesday, 7 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA Spanish Speaking — Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 1 Warren St. (803) 775-1852.

AA “How it Works” Group — Monday and Friday, 8 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call (803) 4945180.

Al-Anon “Courage to Change” Support Group — Tuesday, 7 p.m., Alice Drive Baptist Church, Room 204, 1305 Loring Mill Road. Call Dian at (803) 316-0775 or Crystal at (803) 775-3587.

441 AA Support Group — Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 p.m., Hair Force, 2090-D S.C. 441.

AA Summerton Group — Wednesday, 8 p.m., town hall.

Manning Al-Anon Family Group — Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Behavioral Health Building, 14 Church St., Manning. Call Angie Johnson at (803) 4358085.

C/A “Drop the Rock” Group — Thursday, 9:30 p.m., 1154 Ronda St. Call Elizabeth Owens at (803) 607-4543.

HIV/AIDS: Positive Outlook, through Wateree AIDS Task Force, will meet at 11:30 a.m. third Friday of each month. Support group for those living with HIV / AIDS as well as their friends and family. For meeting location, contact Kevin, peer educator and advocate, at (803) 778-0303 or via email at watereeaids@sc.rr.com.

MONDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Vitiligo Support Group — second Monday of each month, 5:45-6:45 p.m., North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St. Call Tiffany at (803) 316-6763.

Find us on Facebook at Sumter Vitiligo Support.

TUESDAY MEETINGS: Sumter Connective Tissue Support Group — 1st Tuesday of Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov., 7 p.m., 180 Tiller Circle. Call (803) 773-0869.

Mothers of Angels (for mothers who have lost a child) — Every Tuesday, 6 p.m., Wise Drive Baptist Church. Call Betty at

(803) 469-2616 or Carol at (803) 469-9426.

EFMP Parent Exchange Group — Last Tuesday each month, 11 a.m.-noon, Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Support to service members who have a dependent with a disability or illness. Call Dorcus Haney at (803) 8951252/1253 or Sue Zimmerman at (803) 847-2377.

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS: Sickle Cell Support Group — last Wednesday each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Call Bertha Willis at (803) 774-6181.

THURSDAY MEETINGS: TOPS S.C. No. 236 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — Thursdays, 9 a.m., Spectrum Senior Center,1989 Durant Lane. Call Diane at (803) 7753926 or Nancy at (803) 4694789.

Asthma Support Group — Every 1st Thursday, 6 p.m., Clarendon County School District 3 Parenting Center, 2358 Walker Gamble Road, New Zion.

Call Mary Howard at (843) 659-2102.

Alzheimer’s Support Group through S.C. Alzheimer’s Association — Every 1st Thursday, 6-8 p.m., McElveen Manor, 2065 McCrays Mill Road. Call Cheryl Fluharty at (803) 905-7720 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 636-3346.

Journey of Hope (for families members of the mentally ill), Journey to Recovery (for the mentally ill) and Survivors of Suicide Support Group — Each group meets every 1st Thursday, 7 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive. Call Fred Harmon at (803) 905-5620.

FRIDAY MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery — Every Friday, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program, Salt & Light Church, Miller Road (across from Food Lion). For help with struggles of alcohol, drugs, family problems, smoking, etc.

SATURDAY MEETINGS: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Support Group — 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday, 3785 Blackberry Lane, Lot 7.

Call Donna Parker at (803) 481-7521.

PUBLIC AGENDA TOWN OF LYNCHBURG PLANNING COMMISSION Today, 4 p.m., town hall CLARENDON COUNTY COUNCIL Monday, June 9, 6 p.m., 411 Sunset Drive, Manning, Administration Building, Council Chambers SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ARIES (March 21-April 19): keep life EUGENIA LAST simple and avoid getting into disagreements with people you live or deal with regularly. It’s important to focus on legal, financial and medical issues. Stay centered in order to maintain clarity and make wise choices.

The last word in astrology

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Research and pick up information that will help you make wise personal decisions. Don’t worry about the changes others make.

You have to do what works for you.

Sometimes letting go is the fastest way to move forward.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sort through your belongings and get rid of some of the things you no longer need. Plan a garage sale, sell items online or donate them to charity, and your life will be much less cluttered.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make a point of being open and direct and you will find out information that will help you clear up pressing issues. Worry will be the result of letting things fester instead of taking care of business quickly.

Romance is highlighted.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Concentrate on making a move that will lead to a better position. You may like your current job, but money talks.

Picking up more skills or knowledge or networking with old colleagues will lead to opportunities that will raise your standard of living.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take note of what everyone else does and says before responding. Being critical will result in a feud.

Concentrate on self-improvement, not changing others. Don’t let a problem with someone at work put you in a precarious position. Don’t

DAILY PLANNER

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEATHER

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014

AccuWeather® five-day forecast for Sumter TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

A t-storm around this afternoon

A t-storm in spots this evening

Thunderstorms, some severe

Clouds and sun

An afternoon thunderstorm

Sunny to partly cloudy and humid

92°

71°

93° / 69°

88° / 68°

87° / 68°

90° / 69°

Chance of rain: 40%

Chance of rain: 40%

Chance of rain: 65%

Chance of rain: 25%

Chance of rain: 55%

Chance of rain: 15%

Winds: WSW 4-8 mph

Winds: SSW 7-14 mph

Winds: SW 10-20 mph

Winds: ENE 4-8 mph

Winds: ENE 4-8 mph

Winds: ESE 4-8 mph

TODAY’S SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER

Gaffney 90/66 Spartanburg 90/68

Greenville 90/68

Columbia 93/70

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

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Sumter 92/71

Aiken 92/67

ON THE COAST

Charleston 91/70

Today: Partly sunny and humid. High 85 to 90.

Thursday: Partial sunshine; a severe thunderstorm. High 85 to 92.

LOCAL ALMANAC

LAKE LEVELS

SUMTER THROUGH 4 P.M. YESTERDAY

Today Hi/Lo/W 89/71/t 64/51/r 95/76/s 70/50/r 91/72/pc 79/62/pc 88/73/t 80/63/pc 90/70/pc 84/64/pc 108/80/s 68/53/pc 83/68/s

SUN AND MOON 7 a.m. yest.

358.11 74.56 75.35 97.37

24-hr chg -0.01 +0.02 +0.02 -0.16

Sunrise 6:11 a.m.

Moonrise 12:17 p.m.

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

0.00" 0.00" 0.48" 15.57" 18.91" 18.10"

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

Full pool 360 76.8 75.5 100

Lake Murray Marion Moultrie Wateree

86° 67° 86° 62° 101° in 1951 50° in 1953

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 89/70/t 73/50/pc 97/77/s 71/49/pc 92/74/s 79/62/pc 88/73/pc 73/59/r 92/73/pc 76/59/r 107/78/s 68/54/pc 81/61/t

Myrtle Beach 86/73

Manning 92/69

Today: A thunderstorm in spots. Winds southwest 4-8 mph.

Thursday: Strong thunderstorms. Winds west-southwest 7-14 mph.

Temperature High Low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Florence 92/70

Bishopville 92/71

Sunset 8:30 p.m.

Moonset 12:39 a.m.

First

Full

Last

New

June 5

June 12

June 19

June 27

TIDES

Flood 7 a.m. 24-hr stage yest. chg 12 7.42 +0.27 19 3.07 -0.85 14 4.06 +0.54 14 3.47 -0.26 80 77.81 -0.23 24 6.21 -0.35

AT MYRTLE BEACH

Today Thu.

High 1:56 a.m.

2:44 p.m.

2:41 a.m.

3:34 p.m.

Ht. 2.9 2.5 2.8 2.6

Low 9:01 a.m.

9:15 p.m.

9:45 a.m.

10:09 p.m.

Ht. 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.9

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

Today Hi/Lo/W 86/63/t 92/69/t 93/68/t 90/71/t 82/71/pc 91/70/t 90/68/t 90/68/t 93/70/t 93/70/t 85/71/t 91/72/t 93/70/t

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 84/58/t 91/68/t 94/68/t 92/74/pc 81/69/t 92/72/t 89/63/t 91/67/t 95/69/t 94/68/t 86/62/t 92/69/t 93/68/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Florence 92/70/t Gainesville 91/65/pc Gastonia 90/67/t Goldsboro 91/69/t Goose Creek 90/70/t Greensboro 88/68/t Greenville 90/68/t Hickory 89/67/t Hilton Head 85/75/pc Jacksonville, FL 89/66/pc La Grange 89/66/t Macon 92/70/t Marietta 89/70/t

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 93/69/t 91/68/pc 91/65/t 92/66/t 92/72/t 89/62/t 91/66/t 89/62/t 88/77/pc 92/71/pc 91/67/t 94/70/pc 88/70/t

Today City Hi/Lo/W Marion 88/66/t Mt. Pleasant 88/70/pc Myrtle Beach 86/73/pc Orangeburg 91/69/t Port Royal 88/71/t Raleigh 91/70/t Rock Hill 91/66/t Rockingham 92/71/t Savannah 91/70/t Spartanburg 90/68/t Summerville 87/73/pc Wilmington 89/72/t Winston-Salem 88/66/t

Thu. Hi/Lo/W 88/62/t 90/72/pc 87/73/t 92/69/t 91/74/pc 91/63/t 91/64/t 93/66/t 93/72/s 92/66/t 89/76/pc 90/70/t 88/61/t

Weather(W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow flurries, sn–snow, i–ice Monday, June 9, 6:45 p.m., Kingsbury Elementary LEE COUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m., council chambers SUMTER HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Tuesday, June 10, noon, Sunset Country Club

mix business with pleasure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Listen to the information offered and it will change your way of thinking. A trip will turn into a memorable adventure. What you do out of the goodness of your heart will be selfhealing. A personal change will lead to a better future.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ve got the upper hand. Play around with some of the ideas you’ve been mulling over and you will come up with a winning situation that will add to your personal and professional future. Romance will enhance your life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t make the same mistakes over again. Size up your situation and be honest about the way you feel.

Make whatever changes you can to ensure you will be happy in your personal and professional life.

Don’t live a lie.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put greater emphasis on investments, real estate and making your money work for you. Contracts can be negotiated and deals signed. Love is on the rise and a partnership will enhance your life. You can make personal and professional advancement.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to legal, medical or financial dealings. You are best to stay in control and oversee any matter that has the potential to lead to loss. Protect your home and your possessions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Getting together with people from your past will bring back memories and revitalize old plans. The future looks bright if you renegotiate a deal and focus on doing things right this time around. Romance is in the stars.

Independent Studies show that homes lose 20% to 40% of their heating and cooling through leaky air ducts.

795-4257

LOTTERY NUMBERS PALMETTO CASH 5 TUESDAY

POWERBALL SATURDAY

MEGAMILLIONS TUESDAY

1-14-25-29-30 PowerUp: 2

15-27-31-34-48 Powerball: 1 Powerplay: 1

numbers were unavailable at press time.

PICK 3 TUESDAY

PICK 4 TUESDAY

4-7-7 and 7-8-6

7-0-7-4 and 4-5-1-8

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC SUBMITTED BY: Joseph Edwards OCCASION: Tim Ingerson, left, and his father-in-law Mike Edwards hang out at the primitive barn at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smokey Mountains recently.

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 sandrah@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.

SECTION

Rookies aiding Braves at plate and on mound Call: (803) 774-1241 | E-mail: sports@theitem.com

B

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

B4

PREP FOOTBALL

Jones to coach Gamecocks

BY DENNIS BRUNSON dennisb@theitem.com

John Jones, a longtime member of Reggie Kennedy’s coaching staff and his offensive coordinator during Kennedy’s one year as varsity football head coach at Sumter High School, has been selected as the school’s new head coach.

“This is a lifelong dream for me,” said Jones, who grew up in Florence and played high school football at West Florence. “As I was playing,

there are places I looked at where I would like to coach, and Sumter is one of those places where I dreamed of being (head) coach.”

Jones was one of four to interview for the head coaching position, the others being Wando head JONES coach and former SHS Shrine Bowl fullback Jimmy Noonan, Westwood assistant coach and former SHS Shrine Bowl quarterback Keith West and current

SHS defensive coordinator Ronnie Baker.

Sumter High principal Dana Falls, who was on the selection committee along with outgoing Sumter School District athletic director Rick Avins and district director of personnel Dr. Denise Nixon, said the decision to go with Jones came down to maintaining continuity in the program.

The Gamecocks went 9-6 this past season and played for the 4A Division I state title, where they lost to Dutch Fork 54-14. Sumter started the season

2-5, but went on a 7-game winning streak before falling to Dutch Fork.

“We just felt like this was the best thing for the program,” Falls said. “It keeps the coaches together and keeps the system in place. They’ve been with these players all year, Coach Jones with them every single day in the weight room.

“With the players we have coming back, we feel like if we keep everyone together we have a chance to get back

SEE JONES, PAGE B2

FRENCH OPEN

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Bouchard to face Sharapova

Cougars ready for journey to Super Regional

BY GENE SAPAKOFF Post and Courier

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Palmetto Pro Open aluma Eugenie Bouchard serves the ball during her 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-5 victory over Carla Suarez Navarro on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of French Open at Roland Garros in Paris.

Palmetto Pro alumna advances in French Open semifinals

BY HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press PARIS — This is what Maria Sharapova does. She digs herself a big hole in a match, then figures a way out, no matter what it takes.

She hits shots left-handed. Takes her time between points. Pumps her fists and screams “Come on!” after her opponent’s mistakes. And wins.

Did it in the fourth round at the French Open, turning things around by winning the last nine games. Did it Tuesday, too, reeling off nine of the last 10 games to put together a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over 35th-ranked Garbine Muguruza of Spain that put 2012 champion Sharapova in the

semifinals at Roland Garros for the fourth consecutive year.

“When you just don’t feel like anything is going your way, you want to try to find a little door to get into,” Sharapova said. “Once you start feeling, you know, like you got your foot in the door, then it’s a little bit easier.”

After beating one 20-year-old, Sharapova now faces another, 18thseeded Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, who earned a semifinal spot for the second straight Grand Slam tournament.

Like Sharapova, Bouchard was not fazed by falling behind in the quarterfinals. Bouchard, a former Palmetto Pro Open alumni, trailed 5-2 in the

first set, and 4-1 in the third, but beat No. 14 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-5.

“I’m just proud,” Bouchard said, “of the way I stayed in there.”

Tuesday’s men’s quarterfinals offered far less intrigue. No. 2 Novak Djokovic kept up his bid to complete a career Grand Slam by muting Milos Raonic’s dangerous serve and defeating the eighth-seeded Canadian 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Djokovic’s next opponent is No. 18 Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, who followed his victory over Roger Federer with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over No. 6 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

SEE BOUCHARD, PAGE B3

MOUNT PLEASANT — An unusual road series at Houston in March included a controversial ending to one game and the bizarre ejection of College of Charleston head coach Monte Lee for another.

Jet lag, too.

“We know what it’s like to play a good team in Texas and we know what it’s like to play in that Texas heat,” Cougars senior WELKE catcher Ryan Welke said Tuesday.

Who knew an almost impromptu trip would become ideal as viewed through June-colored glasses?

The College of Charleston is preparing for another unlikely visit to Texas -- this one for a Lubbock Super Regional against Texas Tech that starts Saturday. The Houston experience looks better by the precious postseason practice.

“We know what the atmosphere is like out there for games,” senior outfielder Brandon Murray said.

“We also know they will have bigger crowds at Texas Tech.”

The reality of high stakes and Omaha steaks set in Tuesday as the Cougars posed for a team picture required by College World Series management. To reach Nebraska, they must win the best-of-three series in Lubbock.

On the map, it’s 1,445 miles away.

On paper, it’s closer to possible than winning the Gainesville Regional, where the Cougars were a No. 4 seed facing an opening game against Florida, the No. 2 national seed. The underdogs won three straight, defeating the Gators, Long Beach State and the Dirtbags again in a Monday clincher.

RED RAIDERS’ RESUME

Texas Tech is good. The No. 2-seeded Red Raiders won the Coral Gables Regional by bouncing back from a loss to Miami to down the Hurricanes, 4-0, at Alex Rodriguez Park.

Houston is playing in a super regional, too — against Texas in Austin.

SEE COUGARS, PAGE B2

NBA FINALS

Spurs get rest, home court, chance at revenge

BY TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press When last season’s NBA Finals ended, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was all smiles.

For a few minutes, that is.

Popovich’s first order of business after the season’s final buzzer sounded in Miami was to go and embrace Erik Spoelstra, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, giving everyone hearty hugs and offering genuine words of congratulations after the Heat topped his Spurs in Game 7 of one of the most dramatic, thrilling championship series in league history.

The pain of losing started setting in later, and lasted for months. But now, the dream scenario for San Antonio has arrived.

Starting Thursday, the Spurs get

a rematch in the NBA Finals against the only team to ever beat them in a championship series. San Antonio will be holding home-court advantage, so if another Game 7 awaits, the Spurs will have the decided edge this time around. If that wasn’t enough, the Spurs even got basically five full days between games to get healthy and prepare.

It is, without question, everything the Spurs could have wanted.

“We know what we’re going against,” said Spurs guard Tony Parker, who added that he has great

respect for what the Heat have done in this four-year run. “It’s a great challenge.”

There are so many things that would seem like a distinct San Antonio advantage right now.

First, while everyone’s better at home, the Spurs dominate in San Antonio, winning 103 times in their last 123 games there. Over the past four seasons, the Spurs are also 25-5 when having three or more days between games.

Maybe most importantly, having nearly a week between the end of the Western Conference finals and the start of the NBA Finals gives Parker plenty of time to get his ailing left ankle ready to go for Game 1.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS “I’ll do my best,” said Parker, San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili (20) and the rest

of the Spurs will battle the Miami Heat for the NBA SEE FINALS, PAGE B5 title in a rematch of last year’s finals.

B2

|

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

SPORTS ITEMS

Jets edge Cheraw 5-4 CHERAW -- Dalzell-Shaw Post 175 evened its record at 2-2 in League III with a 5-4 American Legion baseball victory over Cheraw on Monday at the Cheraw High School field.

The Jets took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a 3-run home run by Matt Holloman. Cheraw, which fell to 1-2 in league play, rallied to go up 4-3 before Dalzell put together a rally of its own to win.

Dalzell plays host to Cheraw today at 7 p.m. at General Field.

SUMTER 7 SOUTH FLORENCE GOLD 5

FLORENCE-- The Sumter Junior P-15’s defeated South Florence Gold 7-5 on Tuesday to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Rylan Williamson pitched 4 2/3 innings to earn the victory, while Ryan Moore tossed one inning to earn the save.

Offensively, Sumter was led by Williamson and Edward McMillan who each had two hits. Andrew Twitty had a hit and two runs batted in.

On Monday at Riley Park, Sumter defeated Camden 10-1. The Junior P-15’s pounded out 11 hits led by Williamson, who was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, and Daniel Twitty, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI. McMillan also had two hits and Joshua Whitley scored two runs.

McMillian scattered three hits in five innings of work to get the victory.

The Junior P-15’s will play host to Manning-Santee today at 7 p.m. at Riley Park.

GATORS BEAT TIDE TO WIN NATIONAL TITLE

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kirsti Merritt hit a 3-run homer, and Florida defeated Alabama 6-3 on Tuesday night to win its first NCAA softball championship.

The Gators (55-12) swept the championship series 2-0. Florida was the national runner-up in 2009 and 2011.

Jackie Traina, one of the nation’s best pitchers, gave up five runs in 1 1-3 innings before getting pulled for Alabama (53-13).

MARINO SAYS HE’S WITHDRAWING FROM SUIT

MIAMI — Dan Marino says he inadvertently became a plaintiff in a concussion lawsuit against the NFL and is withdrawing immediately.

The Hall of Fame quarterback said he doesn’t suffer any effects from head injuries.

Marino’s withdrawal costs the litigants a high-profile plaintiff. He was by far the best-known of 15 former players who filed a lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia last week.

They joined more than 4,800 others who allege the NFL misled players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The league has denied those allegations.

SABAN’S NEW DEAL WORTH NEARLY $7M A YEAR

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban can make more than $55 million over the next eight years with the Crimson Tide.

A unanimous vote by the Alabama system trustees’ compensation committee Tuesday made Saban’s new deal official nearly seven months after the university announced the agreement.

The 62-year-old Saban will make $6.5 million in base pay and what the university describes as a “talent fee” plus a $400,000 completion bonus for each year.

WITTMAN GETS NEW DEAL WITH WIZARDS

WASHINGTON — Wizards coach Randy Wittman signed a contract extension Tuesday after leading the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

With its young backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Washington beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Wizards hadn’t won a postseason series since 2005.

CLIPPERS OWNER HIT WITH LAWSUIT

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is being sued by a woman who alleges that while she was employed by him, they had a romantic relationship and that he subjected her to racially and sexually offensive comments.

The complaint filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Maiko Maya King’s resistance to Sterling’s “stream of racist and sexist taunts” caused him to retaliate against her and terminate her employment as his personal assistant and caretaker in May. King, who is represented by high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, alleges discrimination, retaliation and “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and demands a jury trial.

Sterling’s attorney, Bobby Samini, said the suit was “baseless and ridiculous.” He added: “She was never employed by Donald Sterling. Her claim was obviously prompted by opportunistic motives.”

BOWER HIRED AS GM OF PISTONS

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons have hired Jeff Bower to be their general manager.

The team announced the move Tuesday.

Bower was the coach at Marist College last season, but he resigned Monday. Athletic director Tim Murray said in a statement that Bower was leaving for “a very specific and compelling NBA opportunity.”

The Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as their coach and team president last month, and now Bower joins the front office as well.

From staff, wire reports

THE SUMTER ITEM

SCOREBOARD

NHL PLAYOFFS STANLEY CUP FINALS

TV, RADIO TODAY

8 a.m. -- Professional Tennis: French Open Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinal Matches from Paris (ESPN2).

Noon -- Major League Baseball: Seattle at Atlanta (MLB NETWORK, SPORTSOUTH, WPUB-FM 102.7).

6:05 p.m. -- Talk Show: Sports Talk (WDXY-FM 105.9, WDXY-AM 1240).

7 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: Oakland at New York Yankees (ESPN2).

8 p.m. -- NHL Hockey: Stanley Cup Playoffs Final Series Game One -New York Rangers at Los Angeles (WIS 10).

8 p.m. -- College Softball: College World Series Game Three from Oklahoma City -- Florida vs. Alabama (If Necessary) (ESPN).

8 p.m. -- Major League Baseball: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs (WGN).

10 p.m. -- LPGA Golf: Manulife Financial LPGA Classic Pro-Am from Waterloo, Ontario (GOLF).

5 a.m. -- Professional Golf: European PGA Tour Lyoness Open First Round from Atzenbrugg, Austria (GOLF).

MLB STANDINGS

By The Associated Press

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST DIVISION W Toronto 34 New York 29 Baltimore 28 Boston 27 Tampa Bay 23 CENTRAL DIVISION W Detroit 31 Chicago 29 Cleveland 28 Kansas City 27 Minnesota 26 WEST DIVISION W Oakland 35 Los Angeles 30 Seattle 29 Texas 29 Houston 24

L 24 27 27 30 35

Pct .586 .518 .509 .474 .397

GB – 4 41/2 61/2 11

L 22 30 30 30 29

Pct .585 .492 .483 .474 .473

GB – 5 51/2 6 6

L 22 26 28 28 34

Pct .614 .536 .509 .509 .414

GB – 41/2 6 6 111/2

MONDAY’S GAMES

Cleveland 3, Boston 2 Seattle 10, N.Y. Yankees 2 Miami 3, Tampa Bay 1 Milwaukee 6, Minnesota 2 Kansas City 6, St. Louis 0 L.A. Dodgers 5, Chicago White Sox 2

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Boston at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

Oakland at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Toronto at Detroit, 7:08 p.m.

Seattle at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

Kansas City at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m.

Baltimore at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Minnesota at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Seattle (Iwakuma 3-2) at Atlanta (Minor 2-3), 12:10 p.m.

Boston (Workman 0-0) at Cleveland (Kluber 6-3), 7:05 p.m.

Oakland (J.Chavez 4-3) at N.Y. Yankees (Nuno 1-2), 7:05 p.m.

Toronto (Dickey 5-4) at Detroit (Porcello 8-2), 7:08 p.m.

Miami (Koehler 4-5) at Tampa Bay (Price 4-4), 7:10 p.m.

Baltimore (B.Norris 3-5) at Texas (N. Martinez 1-1), 8:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Richards 4-2) at Houston (Cosart 4-4), 8:10 p.m.

Milwaukee (Estrada 5-2) at Minnesota (Nolasco 3-5), 8:10 p.m.

St. Louis (Wainwright 8-3) at Kansas City (Vargas 5-2), 8:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Joh.Danks 3-5) at L.A. Dodgers (Beckett 3-2), 10:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Oakland at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Toronto at Detroit, 1:08 p.m.

Miami at Tampa Bay, 4:10 p.m.

L.A. Angels at Houston, 7:10 p.m.

Baltimore at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST DIVISION

JONES FROM PAGE B1 (to the state championship game) again.”

Jones said he has no plans to deviate from what the Gamecocks did this past season.

“I’ve been coaching for 19 years and 15 of those have been with Reggie Kennedy,” Jones said. “We feel like we’ve got a blueprint put in place for us to be successful, and we’re not going to change anything from that blueprint.”

COUGARS FROM PAGE B1 The College of Charleston has come a long way since March.

“We got a lot out of that trip,” Lee said. “We’re going back to the state of Texas and in Texas, baseball is just so strong. It’s a pitching and defense-oriented state. You have all those arms historically coming out of Texas, all that speed and so many good defensive players. It’s not a grip-and-rip home run state.”

Yes, check out the Red Raiders’ Coral Gables Regional wins: 3-2 over Columbia, 3-0 over Miami, 4-0 over Miami.

Lee’s odd ejection The Cougars’ rare air travel outside the Eastern Time Zone to Houston became necessary when Houston head coach Todd Whitting ran into schedule issues. He asked Lee if they could make a late switch in a home-and-home arrangement that originally called for a 2014 weekend series in Mount Pleasant (Houston will come in 2016).

The College of Charleston lost all three games at, of all places, Cougar Field.

But both teams had seven hits in an 8-3 loss in the

Jones’ only previous head coaching experience was at 1A North High School in Orangeburg County from 2004-06. He had a 9-22 record with his best season being a 5-6 mark in ’04 when North reached the second round of the state playoffs.

Jones said he hopes to keep his entire coaching staff intact.

The athletic director position which Kennedy also held is still open. District superintendent Dr. Frank Baker said he hopes to fill the position in the next few days.

Atlanta Miami New York Washington Philadelphia CENTRAL DIVISION Milwaukee St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati Chicago WEST DIVISION San Francisco Los Angeles Colorado San Diego Arizona

W 31 29 28 27 24

L 25 28 29 28 31

Pct .554 .509 .491 .491 .436

GB – 21/2 31/2 31/2 61/2

W 35 30 27 26 20

L 23 28 30 29 34

Pct .603 .517 .474 .473 .370

GB – 5 71/2 71/2 13

W 37 31 28 26 23

L 20 28 28 32 36

Pct .649 .525 .500 .448 .390

GB – 7 81/2 111/2 15

MONDAY’S GAMES

N.Y. Mets 11, Philadelphia 2 Miami 3, Tampa Bay 1 Milwaukee 6, Minnesota 2 Kansas City 6, St. Louis 0 L.A. Dodgers 5, Chicago White Sox 2 Pittsburgh 10, San Diego 3

NCAA BASEBALL SUPER REGIONALS The Associated Press Best-of-3; x-if necessary Host school is Game 1 home team; visiting school is Game 2 home team; coin flip determines Game 3 home team At Jim Patterson Stadium Louisville, Ky. Friday: Kennesaw State (40-22) at Louisville (48-15), 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: Kennesaw State vs.

Louisville, 7 p.m. x-Sunday: Kennesaw State vs.

Louisville, 6 p.m.

At Hawkins Field Nashville, Tenn.

Friday: Stanford (34-24) at Vanderbilt (44-18), 1 p.m.

Saturday: Stanford vs. Vanderbilt, 3 p.m. x-Sunday: Stanford vs. Vanderbilt, 3 p.m.

At Allie P. Reynolds Stadium Stillwater, Okla.

Friday: UC Irvine (38-23) at Oklahoma State (48-16), 9:30 p.m.

Saturday: UC Irvine vs. Oklahoma State, 2 p.m. x-Sunday: UC Irvine vs. Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.

At UFCU Disch-Falk Field Austin, Texas Friday: Houston (48-16) at Texas (41-19), 4 p.m.

Saturday: Houston vs. Texas, 2 p.m. x-Sunday: Houston vs. Texas 2

first game.

In Houston’s 7-1 victory in the third game, the College of Charleston led 1-0 going into the seventh inning.

And the second game had an ending made for “Little Big League” film fans.

Houston won, 3-2, after an appeal in which umpires ruled Blake Butler’s tying run didn’t count. Butler was ruled out for the final out of the game for failing to touch third base while dashing home from second

p.m.

At Davenport Field Charlottesville, Va. Saturday: Maryland (39-21) at Virginia (47-13), Noon Sunday: Maryland vs. Virginia, Noon x-Monday: Maryland vs. Virginia, 4 p.m.

At M.L. ‘Tigue’ Moore Field Lafayette, La. Saturday: Mississippi (44-18) at Louisiana-Lafayette (57-8), 8 p.m.

Sunday: Mississippi vs. LouisianaLafayette, 9 p.m. x-Monday: Mississippi vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.

At Charlie and Marie Lupton Stadium Fort Worth, Texas Saturday: Pepperdine at TCU, 4 p.m.

Sunday: Pepperdine vs. TCU, 6 p.m. x-Monday: Pepperdine vs. TCU, 7 p.m.

At Rip Griffin Park Lubbock, Texas Saturday: College of Charleston (44-17) at Texas Tech (43-19), 1 p.m.

Sunday: College of Charleston vs.

Texas Tech, 3 p.m. x-Monday: College of Charleston vs. Texas Tech, 1 p.m.

on Carl Wise’s ninth-inning, two-out double.

Arguing the play after the game, Lee was ejected -for the third game of the series on Sunday.

Frustrating at the time, a little Lone Star State adversity comes in handy this time of year.

“Even though we didn’t win a ballgame in Houston,” Lee said, “the fact we flew there and faced that type of competition in that type of setting will hopefully help us this weekend.”

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Philadelphia at Washington, 7:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

Seattle at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Miami, 7:10 p.m.

Kansas City at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m.

N.Y. Mets at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Minnesota at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.

Arizona at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at San Diego, 10:10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

Seattle (Iwakuma 3-2) at Atlanta (Minor 2-3), 12:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Liriano 1-5) at San Diego (Kennedy 4-6), 6:40 p.m.

Philadelphia (A.Burnett 3-4) at Washington (Strasburg 4-4), 7:05 p.m.

Miami (Koehler 4-5) at Tampa Bay (Price 4-4), 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco (Vogelsong 3-2) at Cincinnati (Cingrani 2-5), 7:10 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Matsuzaka 2-0) at Chicago Cubs (E.Jackson 3-5), 8:05 p.m.

Milwaukee (Estrada 5-2) at Minnesota (Nolasco 3-5), 8:10 p.m.

St. Louis (Wainwright 8-3) at Kansas City (Vargas 5-2), 8:10 p.m.

Arizona (Collmenter 4-2) at Colorado (Lyles 5-1), 8:40 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Joh.Danks 3-5) at L.A. Dodgers (Beckett 3-2), 10:10 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 12:35 p.m.

Philadelphia at Washington, 4:05 p.m.

Miami at Tampa Bay, 4:10 p.m.

N.Y. Mets at Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.

Arizona at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.

NBA FINALS

By The Associated Press

(Best-of-7; x-if necessary) Thursday, June 5: Miami at San Antonio, 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 8: Miami at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 10: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m.

Thursday, June 12: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m. x-Sunday, June 15: Miami at San Antonio, 8 p.m. x-Tuesday, June 17: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m. x-Friday, June 20: Miami at San Antonio, 9 p.m.

By The Associated Press (Best-of-7; x-if necessary) Wednesday, June 4: NY Rangers at Los Angeles, 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 7: NY Rangers at Los Angeles, 7 p.m.

Monday, June 9: Los Angeles at NY Rangers, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 11: Los Angeles at NY Rangers, 8 p.m. x-Friday, June 13: NY Rangers at Los Angeles, 8 p.m. x-Monday, June 16: Los Angeles at NY Rangers, 8 p.m. x-Wednesday, June 18: NY Rangers at Los Angeles, 8 p.m.

TENNIS The Associated Press FRENCH OPEN RESULTS

Tuesday At Stade Roland Garros Paris Purse: $34.12 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Clay-Outdoor Singles Men Quarterfinals Novak Djokovic (2), Serbia, def. Milos Raonic (8), Canada, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Ernests Gulbis (18), Latvia, def.

Tomas Berdych (6), Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Women Quarterfinals Maria Sharapova (7), Russia, def.

Garbine Muguruza, Spain, 1-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Eugenie Bouchard (18), Canada, def.

Carla Suarez Navarro (14), Spain, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-5.

Doubles Men Quarterfinals Andrey Golubev, Kazakhstan, and Sam Groth, Australia, def. Lukasz Kubot, Poland, and Robert Lindstedt (9), Sweden, 6-3, 6-3.

Julien Benneteau and Edouard RogerVasselin (11), France, def. Maximo Gonzalez and Juan Monaco, Argentina, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5).

Women Quarterfinals Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, and Peng Shuai (1), China, def. Cara Black, Zimbabwe, and Sania Mirza (5), India, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci (2), Italy, def. Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua (7), Australia, 6-0, 6-1.

WNBA STANDINGS

By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Chicago Washington Atlanta Indiana New York Connecticut

W 5 3 4 3 2 2

L 1 2 3 3 4 5

Pct .833 .600 .571 .500 .333 .286

WESTERN CONFERENCE Minnesota Phoenix San Antonio Los Angeles Seattle Tulsa

W 7 3 3 2 2 0

L 0 1 4 3 5 5

Pct 1.000 .750 .429 .400 .286 .000

GB – 11/2 11/2 2 3 31/2 GB – 21/2 4 4 5 6

MONDAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Atlanta 93, Los Angeles 85 Seattle at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

TODAY’S GAMES

No games scheduled

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Washington at Connecticut, 7 p.m.

San Antonio at New York, 7 p.m.

TRANSACTOINS The Associated Press BASEBALL

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL — Suspended Boston RHP Brandon Workman six games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area of Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria during Friday’s game.

American League BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned 3B Garin Cecchini to Pawtucket (IL).

KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Sent LHP Bruce Chen to Northwest Arkansas (TL) for a rehab assignment.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Optioned RHP Michael Kohn to Salt Lake (PCL).

Transferred LHP Sean Burnett to the 60-day DL. Reinstated RHP Dane De La Rosa from the 15-day DL and optioned him to Salt Lake. Reinstated OF Josh Hamilton from the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of RHP Cam Bedrosian from Salt Lake.

NEW YORK YANKEES — Optioned OF Zoilo Almonte to Scranton/WilkesBarre (IL). Claimed LHP Wade LeBlanc off waivers from the L.A. Angels.

Recalled INF Scott Sizemore from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Transferred RHP Michael Pineda to the 60-day DL. OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Placed OF Josh Reddick on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Sunday. Reinstated RHP Ryan Cook from the 15-day DL. SEATTLE MARINERS — Optioned INF Nick Franklin to Tacoma (PCL). Recalled RHP Erasmo Ramirez from Tacoma.

TEXAS RANGERS — Sent OF Jim Adduci and RHP Tanner Scheppers to Frisco (TL) for rehab assignments.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Recalled RHP Chad Jenkins from Buffalo (IL).

National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Placed INF Cliff Pennington on the 15-day DL. Recalled INF Didi Gregorius from Reno (PCL).

ATLANTA BRAVES — Agreed to terms with RHP Terry Doyle on a minor league contract.

CHICAGO CUBS — Designated RHP Jose Veras for assignment. Placed C Welington Castillo on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Monday. Reinstated RHP Hector Rondon from paternity league. Selected the contract of C Eli Whiteside from Iowa (PCL).

MIAMI MARLINS — Optioned RHP Arquimedes Caminero to New Orleans (PCL). Agreed to terms with RHP Kevin Gregg on a minor league contract.

NEW YORK METS — Sent RHP Gonzalez Germen to St. Lucie (FSL) for a rehab assignment.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Optioned RHP Phillippe Aumont to Lehigh Valley (IL). Recalled RHP Ethan Martin from Lehigh Valley.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned RHP Donn Roach to El Paso (PCL). Placed LHP Eric Stults on the bereavement list. Recalled RHP Jesse Hahn from San Antonio (TL). Selected the contract of LHP Jason Lane from El Paso.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Optioned INF/OF Tyler Moore to Syracuse (IL). Reinstated 3B Ryan Zimmerman from the 15-day DL. American Association AMARILLO SOX — Signed RHP Brian Oliver. Released INFs Cory Morales and Charlie Mirabel.

KANSAS CITY T-BONES — Released RHP Justin D’Alessandro.

WICHITA WINGNUTS — Released OF Michael Hernandez.

Atlantic League LANCASTER BARNSTORMERS — Traded INF Austin Gallagher to Rockford (Frontier).

Can-Am League QUEBEC CAPITALES — Signed LHP Kyle Regnault.

Frontier League EVANSVILLE OTTERS — Traded INF Nick Schwaner to Kansas City (AA) for a player to be named.

GATEWAY GRIZZLIES — Traded INF Chris McClendon to Wichita (AA) to complete an earlier trade.

SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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B3

HORSE RACING

Chrome ready for run at history

BY MIKE FARRELL The Associated Press NEW YORK — Art Sherman got his first glimpse of California Chrome in action in two weeks, and the trainer liked what he saw.

Sherman arrived in New York on Monday afternoon and watched his Triple Crown contender gallop at Belmont Park on Tuesday morning. It was the first time Sherman had observed the chestnut colt since he captured the Preakness.

“I thought he looked better now than he did after the Preakness,” Sherman said. “I couldn’t believe how much weight he put on. Going on the Triple Crown trail, it’s kind of rough.

He’s an amazing horse.”

California Chrome will try for the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978 on Saturday in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes.

The flashy 3-year-old with four white feet will be the heavy favorite in the 1½-mile Belmont, known as the “Test of the Champion” for its history of crushing Triple Crown dreams.

Only 11 horses have swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year. There have been 11 Triple tries since Affirmed, the most recent being Big Brown in 2008. He won the first two legs, and then was eased by jockey Kent Desormeaux in the Belmont.

I’ll Have Another won the first two legs in 2012, but was scratched on Belmont eve with a tendon injury that ended his career.

After the Preakness, Sherman, 77, returned to his stable in Southern California. He sent California Chrome to New York in the care of Alan Sherman, his son and assistant

trainer. The Belmont will be the colt’s third demanding race in a short fiveweek span.

“He’s doing outstanding,” Alan Sherman said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more right now. I’m just enjoying the ride he’s put us on.”

The full California Chrome rooting section will be on hand Saturday.

Perry Martin, co-owner and breeder of the colt with Steve Coburn, did not attend the Preakness. He was upset with treatment he received by Churchill Downs at the Derby.

Martin is not going to miss this chance to be part of history.

“Perry and his wife will get here late Wednesday night,” Coburn said.

“He’ll probably lay real low until the day of the race. Him and his family are pretty reserved. That’s why he gets out of town real quick so I can do all the talking.”

Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, from northern Nevada are enjoying their first trip to New York.

“It was my first time in Kentucky, my first time in Maryland and now my first time in New York,” Coburn said. “Carolyn would like to come back here and see all this when we got more time. We’ve kind of been rushed from here to there and back again.”

For Art Sherman, it is a homecoming for the Brooklyn native.

“I haven’t been back to Williamsburg in many years,” Sherman said.

“It’s changed quite a bit. I probably can’t afford Williamsburg now.”

The Belmont draw takes place today. It’s not fraught with as much drama as the Derby, where breaking from an extreme inside or outside post in a 19- or 20-horse field can quickly take a horse out of contention.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Assistant trainer Alan Sherman leads California Chrome back to the stable with exercise rider Willie Delgado on board after a workout on Tuesday in Elmont, N.Y. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner will attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 when he races in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

The Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races, is contested over a track with wide sweeping turns. It gives jockeys plenty of time to sort out early positions.

The Belmont lost a potential runner on Tuesday when trainer Linda Rice withdrew Kid Cruz from consideration. He ran eighth in the Preakness, 16 lengths behind California Chrome.

Kid Cruz might try an easier spot on the Belmont undercard, the $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes at 1 1-16 miles.

The likely challengers for California Chrome include Commanding Curve, Commissioner, General a Rod, Matterhorn, Matuszak, Medal Count, Ride On Curlin, Samraat, Social Inclusion, Tonalist and Wicked Strong.

BOUCHARD FROM PAGE B1 Djokovic, 27, and Gulbis, 25, go way back, having overlapped in their early teens at a German tennis academy.

Their paths quickly diverged, with Djokovic focusing on tennis and thriving, to the tune of six major titles.

Gulbis admits he enjoyed the nightlife too much for his game’s good.

Only recently did Gulbis realize he needed to take his job more seriously.

“It’s really important, for my happiness, just to be successful on the tennis court,” Gulbis said. “Forget about the money. Forget about fame.

It’s just about my inner comfort. That’s it.”

Djokovic will be playing in his 22nd career Grand Slam semifinal; Gulbis in his first.

Similarly, Sharapova is headed to her 18th, Bouchard her second. Bouchard is 7 years younger, and tracked Sharapova’s career from afar.

“First I noticed, like, her cute dresses and things like that when I was young,” said Bouchard, who recalled being a spectator at a tournament in Florida as a youngster and posing for a photo with Sharapova.

“She, of course, is very strong mentally. It is one of her strengths, I think,” Bouchard said. “I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”

For 18 miserable minutes against Muguruza, Sharapova did nothing right. She lost 15 of the first 20 points and fell behind 4-0.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to win,’” said Muguruza, who

was one game away at 5-4 in the second.

Then, serving at 5-all, Muguruza went ahead 30-love.

“Suddenly, I had the impression that it was so easy,” Muguruza said. “Maybe I relaxed a little.”

She double-faulted, opening the door. Sharapova barged through, hitting a pair of backhand winners, then forcing Muguruza’s forehand error, to get the break.

“I’m sure she feels like she has a good chance of getting that game in the bag,” Sharapova said, “and all of a sudden, I’m serving for the set.”

Brushing off a warning from the chair umpire for taking too much time between points, Sharapova broke to go ahead 2-1 in the third, her first lead. In the next game, Sharapova saved five break points to hold for 3-1. And that was that.

Little adjustments, here and there, made the difference. Sharapova took more chances on returns, attacking Muguruza’s second serves.

Sharapova tried to extend points — even shifting her racket to her off hand for a couple of lefty strokes — to force Muguruza to hit extra shots. One telling final-set stat: Muguruza made 26 unforced errors, Sharapova five.

“I didn’t do much in the first set to hurt her. She was doing many things well. I also knew that the match wasn’t over,” Sharapova said. “I still had a fair bit of time to change things around.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Maria Sharapova will face Eugenie Bouchard in the French Open semifinals after a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 quarterfinal victory over Garbine Muguruza on Tuesday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Milos Raonic during his 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4 quarterfinal victory in the French Open on Tuesday at Roland Garros in Paris. Djokovic will face Ernests Gulbis in the semifinals.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MLB ROUNDUP

Buck powers Mariners 7-5 past Atlanta

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta relief pitcher Shae Simmons, left, and second baseman Tommy La Stella, right, have given the Braves a lift since their debuts. La Stella has given the offense a boost, picking up two hits in his major league debut, while Simmons picked up a save.

Rookies give boost to Braves

BY CHARLES ODUM The Associated Press ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves received a needed boost from two players recalled from the minors last week.

Tommy La Stella and Shae Simmons made their home debuts as Atlanta opened a 2-game series with Seattle on Tuesday night. The starting second baseman was La Stella, who had two hits after having backto-back 2-hit games in the Braves’ weekend sweep at Miami.

The Braves also have a new power arm in their bullpen. Simmons, fresh from Double-A Mississippi, recorded a key out on Saturday. The right-hander then earned his first save on Sunday when closer Craig Kimbrel needed a rest.

General manager Frank Wren said Simmons, 23, filled a void left with right-hander Jordan Walden on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Walden “was exceptional in April,” Wren told The Associated Press on Monday. “He gives us that solid end of the game guy, to be able to bridge to Kimbrel, and we were missing that. We think Simmons can do some of that.”

Simmons left Miami with two game balls and valuable experience.

He survived two hits and a walk to

earn the save in Sunday’s 4-2 win over the Marlins.

“Now that it’s over with, I can kind of ease my mind,” Simmons said. “I got through my first couple of appearances OK. Hopefully I just continue to work and get better from here.”

Catcher Evan Gattis said Simmons wasn’t rattled in his first two pressure situations.

“He showed good composure,” Gattis said. “He didn’t seem to get too shaken up. I think it was good that he was in that high-pressure situation (Saturday). I think that helped.”

The clutch production from La Stella, 25, and Simmons was especially important after the Braves lost four straight to the Red Sox. The three-game sweep of the Marlins kept the Braves in first place in the NL East before an off day on Monday.

“Both of them were brought up at a time when we had a need and they have performed quite well in getting their first taste of the big leagues,” Wren said.

The Braves tried Dan Uggla, Ramiro Pena and Tyler Pastornicky at second base before finally calling up La Stella, who was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett. He had two hits in his debut on Wednesday at Boston and is hitting .400 through

NASCAR

Selfies can’t fix attendance woes

BY JENNA FRYER The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Larson lingered near his car waiting for the race to begin at Dover International Speedway when British television presenter Cherry Healey joined him on the concrete. Kneeling next to a rear tire, Healey snapped a selfie with NASCAR’s newest star.

LARSON Selfies are all the rage in every age group, and in NASCAR, where fans can rub elbows with their favorite driver minutes before the start of the race, the ability to snap a shot with the stars is just another perk in the fan-friendly sport.

A snapshot of attendance shows a wider problem that social media can’t fix.

Dover had swaths of empty seats on Sunday, continuing the trend of declining attendance at the Delaware race track that primarily serves Baltimore, Philadelphia, Richmond, Virginia, and Washington. Longtime observers said the crowd was the smallest in years, something CEO Denis McGlynn seemed to hint was coming in the pre-race driver meeting.

McGlynn told the drivers that fans simply can’t afford to attend races at Dover, and warned “you’re going to see some holes in the grandstands.”

McGlynn and his staff are targeting a younger audience, trying to build a new genera-

tion of race fans, and offered kids 14 and under a $10 ticket on Sunday. In an effort to appeal to those kids, who love Facebook and Instagram and Twitter and Snapchat, McGlynn urged drivers to take a moment and pose for selfies with the new fans. Autographs mean little to anyone but collectors and the guy trying to make a buck, so the selfie goes a long way.

Far enough to fix attendance woes?

Hardly.

It still costs roughly $65 to get in the gate at Dover, and all those kids targeted with the $10 seats can’t get them without the purchase of an adult ticket, too. Throw in parking, food and drink — even if you bring your own — and it’s a big spend.

At least half of Dover’s targeted audience could have attended the race at Richmond in April. A huge portion of the fans can go to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania this Sunday. And the luckiest fans at Pocono can skip the drivers and aim for selfies with the grand marshals, actors Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

NASCAR desperately wants to appeal to East Coast fans, but it’s a bloated market.

There are too many entertainment options already, and NASCAR is cramming in four Sprint Cup races from April 26 through Aug. 3 in one region.

Some will argue attendance doesn’t matter because the tracks don’t need attendance

SEE NASCAR, PAGE B6

his first five games.

La Stella’s promotion led to renewed speculation the Braves might try to trade Uggla, who is hitting only .176. Wren insists the La Stella move and Uggla’s status are “mutually exclusive.”

“They don’t impact each other,” Wren said. “What we’re looking for is a spark out of that position, wherever that comes from and however that comes about.

“In Danny’s case, we would love for him to get something going, but at the same time we’ll continue to play like we’re playing.”

La Stella likely will remain the starter as long as he provides a steady influence on a lineup which otherwise has been too reliant on all-or-nothing big swings.

“We feel like he gives an added dimension offensively that we need and that’s plate discipline and putting the ball in play,” Wren said.

“He seems to fit well in the lineup.”

Wren said Pastornicky, who was optioned to Gwinnett, needs regular playing time following a season-ending knee injury in 2013.

“Tyler really has missed a lot of time,” Wren said. “He missed two months at the end of last season with the ACL and missed most of spring training. We just felt it was in his best interest to go down and play regularly.”

AREA SCOREBOARD

ATLANTA — John Buck had three hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning that gave Seattle the lead, and the Mariners rallied to beat the Atlanta Braves 7-5 Tuesday night for their fourth straight win.

The Braves led 4-0 in the first inning and 5-2 in the second before falling to the Mariners’ comeback. Buck’s homer, his first of the season, came off Alex Wood (5-6), Atlanta’s third pitcher. The shot to right field drove in Dustin Ackley, who had a two-out single.

The Turner Field air, normally thick with humidity, was unusually dry and that helped the teams combine for four homers.

Seattle pinch-hitter Stefen Romero hit a three-run homer in the fourth that tied the game 5-all. Evan Gattis and B.J. Upton hit homers for the Braves.

Dominic Leone (2-0) had four strikeouts in two perfect innings.

MARLINS 1 RAYS 0

MIAMI— Henderson Alvarez needed only 88 pitches to toss an eight-hitter for his third shutout this year, and the Miami Marlins beat Tampa Bay 1-0 Tuesday, sending the reeling Rays home after a winless eight-game trip.

AMERICAN LEAGUE INDIANS 5 RED SOX 3 CLEVELAND — Michael Bourn hit a two-run double in the seventh inning to break a tie and the Cleveland Indians won their season-high fifth straight with a 5-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

NATIONAL LEAGUE NATIONALS 7 PHILLIES 0 WASHINGTON— Jordan Zimmermann rebounded from a mini-slump to throw eight scoreless innings, Ryan Zimmerman hit a pair of doubles and handled two chances with aplomb in his left field debut, and the Washington Nationals beat the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 7-0 Tuesday to open a three-game series.

REDS 8 GIANTS 3

CINCINNATI — Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run homer and Jay Bruce emerged from a slump by driving in a pair of runs on Tuesday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to their seasonhigh fourth win in a row, an 8-3 victory over the sloppy San Francisco Giants.

From wire reports

Riggs at Gloria.riggs@sumterschools.net.

BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

MILES ENTERTAINMENT GAME

SHS CAMP

The First Miles Entertainment Basketball Game, featuring Phillip “Hot Sauce” Champion, will be held on Friday, June 13, at the Sumter High School gymnasium.

Champion is a former AND1 Streetball player.

There will be a pregame tuneup and autograph session beginning at 4 p.m. and lasting until 4:45. The game will start at 5.

For more information, go to the twitter account MILES_ENT.

Sumter High School will be hosting a wrestling camp June 9-12.

The camp will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Registration forms can be picked up at the school’s main office.

For more information, contact Cody Slaughter at cody.slaughter@sumterschools. net.

SUMTER HIGH SCHOOL CAMP

The Sumter High School 2014 Boys & Girls Basketball Camp will be held June 16-19 at the SHS gymnasium.

The camp will be open to children ages 8-15.

The cost is $55 per camper with the camp running from noon until 4 p.m. each day.

Campers must be signed up by June 6.

For more information, call SHS boys basketball head coach JoJo English at (803) 4814480 or email him at Stephen.english@sumterschools.net.

SUMTER CHRISTIAN CLINICS

Registration is being taken for the Sumter Christian School 2014 Basketball Clinics to be held over the summer.

There will be four 5-day sessions at a cost of $45 per camper. A camp for children in grades 1-3 will be held June 9-13, grades 3-6 June 23-27, grades 6-9 July 7-11 and graves 9-12 July 21-25. The camps will run each day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The camp instructors will be the SCS coaching staff of Bobby Baker, Tom Cope and Jimmy Davis.

For more information, call Baker at (803) 469-9304 or (803) 464-3652.

CHEERLEADING SHS MINI CHEER CAMPS

The Sumter High School Mini Cheer Camps will be held June 17-19 and July 21-23.

The camp, which will be hosted by the SHS cheerleaders, is open to children in elementary school and middle school. The cost is $50 per camper per session, but the cost is $85 if the camper attends both sessions.

The camp will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day.

To guarantee receiving a t-shirt, registration must be turned in by June 3. The last day to register is June 10.

For more information, contact Gloria

ETC. SKILLS, DRILLS & LIFE

The LAY UP Skills, Drills & Life Sports/ Mentoring Camp For At-Risk Youth will be held June 12-14 at the Lincoln High School gymnasium located at 26 Council Street.

The program will be held each day from 9 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. It is open to boys and girls ages 9-17 and is free.

Those who are scheduled to participate in the event are former Clemson All-American and College Football Hall of Famer Terry Kinard, former Wake Forest quarterback Keith West and former Wake Forest basketball standout Wilbert Singleton. Each was a standout performer at Sumter High School.

For more information, contact Leading America’s Youth Upward Program program coordinator Mark Shaw at (803) 236-2313 or at layup2011andup@yahoo.com.

AUTO RACING SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONS SEARCH

Sumter Speedway is trying to gather information on all of its champions from 1957 to the present.

The name of the driver, the year and the division in which the title was won and the track promoter is the information hoping to be gathered.

To provide information, call James Skinner at (803) 775-5973 or e-mail Virginia Ayers at vayers@ftc-i.net.

FOOTBALL OFFICIATING CLASSES

The Santee Wateree Football Officials Association is holding classes for those interested in becoming officials.

Those who pass the course will be able to officiate middle school, junior varsity and varsity games.

Classes will be held each Monday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Parks & Recreation at 155 Haynsworth Street.

NBA FINALS

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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B5

SPURS-HEAT NBA FINALS CAPSULE A capsule look at the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, which begin Thursday night (with playoff stats):

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (62-20, 126) VS. MIAMI HEAT (54-28, 12-3).

Starters: Spurs — C Tim Duncan (16.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg), F Tiago Splitter (7.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) or Matt Bonner (1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg), F Kawhi Leonard (13.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Danny Green (9.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg), G Tony Parker (17.2 ppg, 4.9 apg).

Heat — C Chris Bosh (15.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Rashard Lewis (4.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg), F LeBron James (27.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.0 apg), G Dwyane Wade (18.7 ppg, 4.3 apg), G Mario Chalmers (7.1 ppg, 3.9 apg).

Key reserves: Spurs — G Manu Ginobili (14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Boris Diaw (10.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Patty Mills (6.5 ppg, 1.4 apg), G Marco Belinelli (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg), G Cory Joseph (3.3 ppg, 0.6 apg).

Heat — G Ray Allen (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Chris Andersen (6.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G Norris Cole (5.1 ppg, 1.8 apg), F Shane Battier (3.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg), F Udonis Haslem (3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), G James Jones (3.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg).

Season series: Tied, 1-1. Each team won easily on its home floor, with the Spurs handing the Heat their worst loss of the season in a 111-87 victory March 6.

Miami won 113-101 on Jan. 26, a game in which the Spurs played without Leonard, Green and Splitter because of injuries and trailed by as many as 29 points. San Antonio shot 50 percent in both games, though the Heat hit 58 percent of their shots in their victory.

Story line: The first NBA Finals rematch since 1998 features the Heat going for their third straight championship against a San Antonio team that rebounded from last year’s heartbreak to get another shot at them.

San Antonio blew a five-point lead in the final half-minute of regulation of Game 6 last year with a chance to clinch, then Miami pulled out Game 7.

Key matchup I: Leonard vs. James. James is the MVP of the last two NBA Finals and had 37 points and 12 rebounds last year in Game 7. Leonard was pretty good, too, with 19 points and 16 rebounds. He’s another year better and forced James into a 6-for-18 shooting night in the Spurs’ regularseason rout, though James’ bigger problem might have been the sleeved jersey he complained about afterward.

Key matchup II: Duncan vs. Bosh. Duncan shot 9 for 13 in each game against Miami this season, scoring 23 points in both.

Bosh was just a little bit better, with a pair of 24-point performances, and went 9 for 10 in the Heat victory. The Heat may not need him to be that good, but probably must get something better than his scoreless outing they overcame to win Game 7.

X-factor: Parker’s health. The All-Star point guard missed the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals with left ankle soreness. The Spurs were good enough to beat Oklahoma City without him that night, but it would be tough to defeat Miami four times if Parker is too far from his normal form.

Prediction: Spurs in 7.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Miami guard Dwyane Wade (3) says he’s healthy and ready to lead the Heat to their third straight NBA title. The 2-time defending champion will face San Antonio in the NBA Finals for the second straight year beginning on Thursday.

Wade ready to go Healthy, rested guard eager to lead Heat

BY TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Antonio guard Tony Parker, left, said he will play in the NBA Finals against Miami beginning on Thursday despite re-aggravating a left ankle injury against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.

Parker plans to play despite ankle injury

BY RAUL DOMINGUEZ The Associated Press SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle.

“He’s getting better every day, and I expect him to play,” coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday.

Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonio’s series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.

Parker didn’t practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back today.

Parker is averaging a teamleading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this postseason but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds.

“I always try to be honest with Pop,” Parker said. “He knows, but if I’m 50 percent I’ll try to play. If I’m under 50 percent, we can argue.”

Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonio’s second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time.

“I don’t like to talk about when I’m hurt,” he said. “I played on it for the whole series against Portland. That’s why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle.”

Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs’ seriesclinching victory.

He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring. But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City.

“I twisted it again, but didn’t say anything,” Parker said. “Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, ‘That’s enough.’ It’s perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1.”

San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance.

Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the team’s medical staff.

“I wanted to play. I wanted to play,” Parker said. “Pop was like, ‘No, we never know for Game 7.’ So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals.”

Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 percent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunder’s Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals — but didn’t.

“It’s too early — he’s either 50 percent or out for the rest of the playoffs,” Popovich said. “One of the two . I had to do it. I’ll never do it again, I promise. We’re done with that joke.”

MIAMI— The last time Dwyane Wade played in an NBA Finals game, he needed fluid drained from his left knee and eight hours of intense game-day therapy just to get into uniform.

The Miami Heat guard later described it in a single word.

“Hell,” Wade said.

It was also worth it, after he scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and hoisted his third Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Now, unlike last year, Wade is not dealing with any injuries heading into the Miami’s finals rematch against the San Antonio Spurs.

At 32 years old and with 866 NBA games already on his playing odometer, Wade still deals with plenty of aches and pains, good days and bad days, and basically has a standing appointment in the Heat training room.

But compared to last season’s NBA Finals, his knees are good as new.

“He’s a big-time, huge piece to our puzzle,” four-time NBA MVP and Heat star LeBron James said. “To have him out there in the groove that he’s in right now, it’s going to help us.”

The Heat are looking to win their third straight title and Wade is on the cusp of joining a list of all-time NBA greats.

There are just seven players with four championships and at least one NBA Finals MVP award on their resumes: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Havlicek, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and the Spurs’ Tim Duncan.

Wade could be the eighth person in that club.

“We just want to continue to add to what we’re accomplishing,” Wade said.

Almost forgotten amid all the memories of Wade limping about during last year’s play-

offs — he whacked what was his “good” knee at this time last year, the surgically repaired left one, in a collision with the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili during Game 6 of the finals — is he had big games when Miami needed him.

Through his first 14 games of the 2013 playoffs, Wade was averaging 13.6 points.

In the final eight games of that postseason run, starting with Game 7 against Indiana, he averaged 19.8 points.

And in the last four games of the finals, he averaged 23.5 points against the Spurs to close the series. As his knees got worse, Wade seemed to get better.

“He still found a way last year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He really did.

He had some of his biggest games not only in the finals, but Game 7, we didn’t think necessarily he was going to even play that game in the Eastern Conference finals.”

This year, the Heat tried to leave nothing to chance with Wade’s health.

The so-called maintenance plan for Wade — limiting his minutes to save his knees — kicked in on the second night of the regular season. He wound up missing 28 games in all, mostly because of that rest-and-rehab scheme, to ensure that he would be good to go in the playoffs.

The results can’t be argued. Wade is averaging 18.7 points on 52 percent shooting, Miami is 12-3 in the playoffs and when getting more than three days rest — like the Heat will have before Game 1 in San Antonio on Thursday night — the perennial AllStar has had games of 23, 14, 27 and 23 points on a combined 60 percent shooting.

“Dwyane is playing great,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. “He looks a lot more spry and ready to go then he did last year in the finals.”

Maybe the biggest payoff of the regularseason maintenance plan has been how Wade has closed games in this postseason.

FINALS FROM PAGE B1 who didn’t practice Tuesday but is hoping to play in the series opener, as the Heat expect he will.

This is San Antonio’s sixth trip to the NBA Finals.

The Spurs won it all in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007, the last title in that run coming when San Antonio swept a Cleveland team that featured a young LeBron James making his debut on the league’s biggest stage.

James is no finals apprentice anymore. He’s been to the title round three times since, winning the last two.

And James is quick to point out that the Spurs aren’t the only team fueled by hunger in this championship round.

“Both teams have motivating factors,” James said.

“They have a motivating factor. We have our own.”

Losing the finals is one thing.

Losing the way the Spurs did last June, that’s something else.

Forget Game 7 for a moment. Game 6 will be replayed for as long as there are replays, unforgettable for both how the Heat rallied and how the Spurs collapsed. A 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter was erased, in part because Mike Miller scored three points on one shot while wearing one shoe. And a five-point lead with 28.2 seconds left, well, you know the rest.

Manu Ginobili misses a free throw. James makes a 3-pointer. Kawhi Leonard makes one of two free throws. James misses a 3-pointer. Chris Bosh out

jumps Ginobili for the rebound. Ray Allen started backpedaling to the right corner, hoping for a chance.

ABC’s Mike Breen described what happened next like this: “Rebound Bosh ... back out to Allen ... his 3-pointer ... BANG!!! Tie game!”

The Heat went on to win in overtime that night, then found a way to win Game 7 and the title, 95-88. When this season began, Popovich started camp by showing his team Games 6 and 7, painful as it was.

“I try to learn something every game I watch,” Popovich said. “That’s what we do.”

And while there were plenty of teams that looked like contenders this season, neither club was surprised that the end result is the first NBA Finals rematch since 1998.

B6

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

RECRUITING CORNER

Tigers add commits Cain, Davis C

lemson finished up the busy recruiting month of May with two more commitments, giving the Tigers 17 for the 2015 class.

The Tigers added another top notch Florida athlete in Deon Cain (6-feet-1-inch, 190 pounds) of Tampa, who will be a wide receiver for them.

They picked up one of the state’s top prospects in defensive end LaSamuel Davis (6-4, 216) of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School.

Cain narrowed his list to Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana State. Clemson offered Cain in December of ‘13. He visited earlier this year and from that point Clemson became a major factor with him.

Cain also plays quarterback and last season he passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for over 700 yards and four scores. Those natural athletic skills for QB plus his physical attributes for a WR should make him a big playmaker for the Tigers, according to his head coach.

“He’s probably the most athletic kid I’ve ever coached,” head coach Jayson Roberts said. “The number of things he can do as a receiver -- run, jump -- I’ve never seen a kid so comfortable with the ball in the air. He just plucks the ball out of the air. He makes everything look so effortless. He’s such a smooth athlete and one of the most competitive kids I’ve been around.”

Davis is the fifth Red Raider to commit to Clemson since 1992 when Chris Franklin signed with the Tigers.

Ricky Sapp, Da’Quan Bowers and Martin Aiken later came down the line.

Davis missed much of his sophomore season with a deep thigh bruise. He bounced back last season with 112 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and seven QB sacks.

That established him as one of the state’s top prospects for this season.

“His motor never stops,” said B-E head coach Butch Crosby, who saw two other major prospects, AJ Cann and his son, Kevin Crosby Jr., sign with South Carolina.

“He has long arms and plays with great leverage. His first stop off the ball is explosive. He plays the game real violent.”

Florida and Georgia Tech were the first to offer Davis in January. Clemson later followed and Davis visited there in February and March, and the Tigers moved to the front.

“I sat down and talked with (Clemson assistant) Coach (Marion) Hobby one on one when I make my visit, and he told me I had a chance of being a really good athlete,” Davis said. “He said what he liked was how I came back off my injury.”

Davis believes he can reach that full potential by following in the footsteps of the outstanding DEs who have preceded him at Clemson.

“I like how they do a lot of things with their defensive ends,” he said. “As long as I come in and work hard they said I can step on the field. I get off the ball real quick and I have good hands and technique. I just go and keep moving forward.”

USC showed interest in Davis and came through the school this spring, but wanted him to visit this summer before making an offer. Flori-

da did make a strong push and was No. 2 on his list. He also had offers from North Carolina State, North Carolina, Oregon, Wake Forest, Kansas State, GT, Southern California, UCLA, Virginia Tech, East Carolina and Tennessee.

DE Marqes Ford of Gibsonton, Fla., has a favorites list of Clemson, Tennessee, Rutgers, Duke, Miami, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Central Florida.

Athlete Reggie Hemphill, a ’16 player from Manvel, Texas, has a top 10 that includes Clemson. The others are Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Maryland, Notre Dame and UCLA. USC

DE Arden Key of Atlanta said last week he has made his decision and he has notified the school he’s chosen.

Key said he still plans to reveal his choice on Tuesday, at least as of now.

“I’m not 100 percent on (June) the 10th,” Key said.

“Some school might change my mind.”

Of course, Key changed his mind once before last year when he de-committed from USC. In his most recent top five list, Key listed Oregon, Miami, LSU, Ole Miss and USC in that order. Some have scoffed at that order, insisting USC is indeed his favorite.

“They don’t know what they are talking about,” Key said.

“That top five is relevant. I know where I’m going right now. I feel good about the choice. They have a high graduate rate, and mostly I have a good relationship with the coaches and the school itself.”

USC was by twice this spring to check on Key, and he plans to visit USC again on June 13. Key has told his former assistant coach, Clifford Browning, about his decision. Browning worked closely with Key on the decision.

“Opportunity to play and play early was the biggest factor,” Browning said. “We were able to break down every team’s depth chart. I think he’ll shock a few people. It’s a good decision, a good decision for him.”

Key said he expects to play DE or a hybrid position in college. Last year, he had over 100 tackles and eight sacks.

Offensive lineman Brandon Sandifer of Warner Robins, Ga., visited USC last week.

He has the Gamecocks and Alabama at the top of his list.

Another USC OL target, Jalen Merrick of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was offered last week by Tennessee.

Defensive back Jeremy McDuffie of Snellville, Ga., is a speedster on the football field and the track. As a cornerback last season, McDuffie had 60 tackles and two interceptions. As an running back, he rushed for 600 yards in only three games. And on the track, he’s one of the nation’s top hurdlers and triple jumpers.

McDuffie plans to compete in both sports in college, and he has 13 offers with Tennessee leading USC, Duke and GT in that order. Some of his other offers are Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Boston College.

Assistant coach GA Mangus is recruiting McDuffie for USC and was by the school earlier in the spring, and McDuffie plans to visit USC this

NASCAR FROM PAGE B1 revenue like they did years ago. All tracks receive a cut of the television package, and the deal that begins next year is worth $8.2 billion, so there’s plenty of wealth to trickle down to every facility.

“It’s a media-based revenue now, that’s a fact,” said McGlynn. “But I’m not sure that’s a desire for us. We still want those people in the grandstands.”

Dover seats 113,000. Maybe it will hit that number this year if it combines

month. He visited Duke last Saturday.

USC offered instate speedster ‘17 WR Shi Smith of Union County High last week. Smith also has offers from Appalachian State and Towson. He had 35 catches for 425 yards and two TDs and added 18 carries for 198 yards with two TDs. USC AND CLEMSON

RB Ty’son Williams of Crestwood High has had a top group of USC, Clemson, Wisconsin, UNC and ND and nothing has changed with that. And Williams does not expect any changes in the future.

“I’m just sticking with those five,” Williams said. “I want to make a decision before the season. I don’t have a favorite. They are all recruiting me hard. I’m just keeping an even keel.”

Clemson, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Georgia were in two weeks ago and USC stopped by the week before that. Williams has no visits planned for now, but will try to visit his schools this summer.

OL Austin Clark of Lexington, Va., made his Phil Kornblut final unofficial visit on RECRUITING Saturday and CORNER will make his announcement on Thursday, June 12.

Clark made a second trip to USC, one of his final seven schools along with Clemson, Virginia, VT, Tennessee, Penn State and Ohio State.

Clark made the visit with his father and spent the day with Gamecock OL coach Shawn Elliott.

“That was really important to me as far as getting to know him better as a coach,” Clark said. “It was definitely a good day. I got to see a little bit more of Columbia than I did on my last visit. The visit pretty much answered all the questions I had left.

“His main message to me was I was a top priority for them, and they want me to come and man one of the tackle spots for them.”

Clark did not meet with head coach Steve Spurrier, who was out of town after attending the Southeastern Conference meetings in Florida earlier in the week. Clark plans to narrow his list to four next weekend, and the visit to USC appears to have boosted its chances of making the final four.

“They have a really good chance of making it,” Clark said. “I pretty much answered any questions I had left.”

He plans to major in business management and was given plenty of information about the USC business school. Clark said he remains in touch with his recruiters from the other schools as well. He will announce his decision during the 6 p.m. news cast on a local television station June 12.

USC remains in the top four for RB Traveon Samuel of Phenix City, Ala. “I’ve maintained a really good relationship with (assistant) Coach (Grady) Brown, and I’m going to visit this summer,” Samuel said.

Samuel would like to commit sometime in December and is planning to graduate early.

“USC has a good program

attendance from Sunday’s race with its September race.

Empty seats are ugly. They look bad for the race track, bad to the sponsors and are bad for the health of NASCAR, regardless of the TV deal.

Could tracks fill the seats by lowering ticket prices? Probably. But hotel prices remain an issue in many markets, and the lodging costs are simply too high for fans even if the tickets are free.

So, aside from giving each driver a daily selfie minimum to meet, what’s the solution?

and good coaches,” he said. “I like the way they said they would use me.”

Florida State and California are two others he plans to visit over the summer. His offers include USC, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Florida, FSU, LSU, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Louisville and Duke. He does not have any favorites.

FSU and UGA are the latest to offer Irmo native WR Auden Tate of Tampa. Tate played his freshman year at Dutch Fork High before relocating to the Sunshine State.

He already has offers from USC and Clemson and is showing interest in both.

This summer he will visit the Tigers. As for his new offers, Tate was expecting one and was surprised by the other.

Tate has no favorites and would like to narrow his list to 10 by early summer and then down to five. He plans to take visits this summer to Clemson, Maryland, Michigan and UGA. Defensive lineman DJ Jones of East Mississippi Junior College visited Ole Miss on Saturday. He also visited USC, Clemson, Tennessee and Auburn while home in South Carolina during the semester break.

DE Janarius Robinson of Panama City, Fla., a ’16 recruit, plans to visit USC and Clemson this summer.

OTHERS

QB Torrance Gibson of Plantation, Fla., announced his top seven last week.

Clemson was on his longer list, but didn’t make the shorter list. He has Tennessee and Auburn tied at the top followed by LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Miami and UCF. WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside of Dorman High in Roebuck was offered last week by Cincinnati, his 16th offer.

Dupree Hart, a standout WR from Northwestern High in Rock Hill who caught 21 passes in last season’s 4A Division II state championship game, committed to play college baseball at College of Charleston on Saturday.

BASKETBALL

Robert Carter Jr., a 6-9 transfer from GT, made an official visit to USC over the weekend and he has real interest in the Gamecocks and, more specifically, in head coach Frank Martin.

“A couple of years ago Robert had an opportunity to try out for the USA Junior National Team and that’s where he and Martin created a relationship,” said Carter’s AAU coach, Winfred Jordan, who has been assisting him with this move. “As he sat down with his list of schools, South Carolina was also in in his top five. He’s gotten calls from all over the country. He loves Frank Martin and thinks he can prepare him for the next level.”

Carter also has visited St. John’s. He was to visit Maryland on Tuesday and will schedule a visit to Kansas.

Carter wants to enroll for the second session of summer school, so Jordan said he could have a decision within another week or so.

Carter is an accomplished player after two Atlantic Coast Conference seasons. He averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game last season.

What he’s looking for in his new school, according to Jordan, is that place where he

There’s only one answer: blowing up the schedule.

Iowa Speedway desperately wants a Sprint Cup race and seems to have the fan base to deserve consideration, but it can’t get on the 38-race schedule.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway wants a second date, but can’t have one unless track owner Bruton Smith is willing to move a race at one of his other tracks.

This isn’t pick-on-Dover day, but when a track is struggling to fill half the grandstands, it shouldn’t get two races a year. Atlanta is a big market

can take that next big step towards the National Basketball Association.

“He’s started every game he’s played since a freshman at Georgia Tech, so that’s not an issue,” Jordan said. “It’s more about the development.

He just wants to give himself a fair opportunity to get to the next level.”

USC signed 6-9 forward James Thompson of Baton Rouge, LAa.,on Thursday.

Thompson visited USC a couple of weeks ago and picked the Gamecocks over offers from LSU, Kansas State, Memphis, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. “It just kind of worked out,” Thompson’s head coach, Don Green, said. “The timing of it, the opportunity to play, the fact that James was somewhat always interested in going out of state to play. All the stars aligned and it just worked out for both parties.”

USC assistant coach Perry Clark, who once was the head coach at Tulane and is a Louisiana native, knew of Thompson from his days in New Orleans and got the ball rolling with Thompson in November. Thompson reciprocated with his official visit to Columbia and the Gamecocks not only sold Thompson on joining them, they also won over his father.

“He just thought the coaching staff was very up front with them about the possibilities of having the chance to come and contribute,” Green said of Thompson’s father.

“That opportunity, plus the staff, plus the similarities of the schools (USC and Parkview Baptist) just really played well with James and the dad, and after that it was just a matter of coming to the realization that that was a place that’s going to be good for him.”

Last season, Thompson averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots per game.

He is a 3-time 3A all-state selection and the most valuable player of his district three of the last four years.

“I think he’s going to be a better college player than he ever was in high school,” Green said. “I look forward to him having a good future there.”

Thompson is USC’s fourth commitment for the ‘14 class.

Tevin Mack, a 6-6 player from Dreher High in Columbia, visited Clemson on Saturday and picked up an offer from the Tigers. Mack also has offers from UGA, Houston, Jacksonville, VT, Virginia Commonwealth, WF, Mississippi State, Auburn, ECU, Miami (Ohio) and Stephen F. Austin.

USC offered 6-8 power forward Chris Silva of Roselle, N.J.. on Saturday, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.TV. Silva could visit USC later this month. His other offers include Cincinnati, Syracuse, Villanova, Creighton, Fordham, Georgetown, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Southern Methodist and Rhode Island. Silva is a native of the African nation of Gabon.

Other signings around the state last week: Larry McKnight, a 6-4 player from Miami and 6-8 Ryan Sawwell, a transfer from Evansville, signed with Wofford; Reuben King, a 6-4 player from Garden City JC in Kansas, signed with Charleston Southern; and 6-0 Tim Broom of Jacksonville, Fla., signed with The Citadel.

and a storied race track, but when attendance dwindled, it lost one of its two races.

There’s no logic at all in having Dover and Pocono back-to-back unless the marketing priority is the RV crowd that has the free time to travel to consecutive events.

NASCAR wants every race to matter, for every win to be a huge event. But there’s a winner every week and if you missed it this Sunday, you can catch it next Sunday or the one after that.

Selfies can’t fix this. Something far more drastic has to be done.

OBITUARIES | SPORTS

THE SUMTER ITEM

ROSA G. GLOVER Rosa Mae Gregg Glover, 84, departed this life on Friday, May 30, 2014, at her residence.

Born on Sept. 9, 1929, in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Henry Ransom and Sarah Gregg Isaac. She was educated in the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Lincoln GLOVER High School. She later moved to Illinois, where she married Isaac Glover and to this union five children were born. At an early age, she was a member of Unionville AME Church.

After returning to Sumter, she joined Mt. Pisgah AME Church and it became her home. Due to her passion for helping others, she enjoyed serving on the stewardess board and pastor’s aid ministry. Along with that, she worked in the nursing field at Tuomey Hospital, Samuels Rest Home and finally Cypress Nursing Facility until she medically retired. After retirement, her passion evolved into traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a longtime client of Active Day of Sumter, where she was affectionately known as one of the “Golden Girls.”

She leaves to cherish her memories: four daughters, Victoria (Wade) Pearson of Washington, District of Columbia, Kay (Clyde) Nathaniel and Andrea Renee (Phillip) Blanding, both of Sumter, and Lynn Glover of Lithonia, Georgia; one stepdaughter, Selma (Wortham) Hall of Stone Mountain, Georgia; 10 grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; one niece; two nephews; her longtime caregiver, Wendy Williams; a close and dear friend, Willie Mae Scott; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Isaac Reginald Glover; and a sister, Catherleen Dixon.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, 217 W. Bartlette St., Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Betty Deas Clark, pastor, eulogist.

The family is receiving friends and relatives at her home, 1303 White Horse St., Sumter.

The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.

The funeral procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. from her home.

Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends.

Burial will be in Walker Cemetery, Oakland Avenue, Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.

com. Visit us on the web.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

FLORENCE TURNERSHADOAN FORT WORTH, Texas — Florence Turner-Shadoan, age 82, formerly of Sumter, passed away on May 31, 2014.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1931, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew M. and Mary Przybylla Trotz. Florence was a member of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Parish in Fort TURNERWorth and was SHADOAN previously a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Sumter.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Shadoan of Sumter; daughters, Anita Ruiberriz de Torres of Denmark, Renae Jones and Karen Pierce, both of Sumter, and Debbie Galindo and Michelle Boney, both of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Hannak of Maryland; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, James Donald Turner; brothers, Frank J., John, Edward, Leon, Joseph and Thaddeus Trotz; and sisters, Stella Conley, Tillie Trotz, Sophie Trotz, Angeline (Nellie) Janisko and Betty Torres.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Burke, C.SS.R. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday with a wake service beginning at 6 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

KAREN G. STRADFORD WRIGHT HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Funeral service for Karen G. Stradford Wright, 55, of Huntsville and formerly of Camden, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Camden First United Methodist Church with burial in Cedars Cemetery.

Mrs. Wright is a daughter of Henry and Edna Stradford of Camden. She died on Sunday, June 1, 2014.

Friends may visit at 804 Chestnut St., Camden.

Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

DIAMOND BLACK CASSATT — Diamond Black, age 13, died on Sunday, June 1, 2014, at KershawHealth Medical Center at Camden, after an illness.

The family is receiving friends at 2126 Red Hill Circle, Cassatt.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Boatwright Funeral Home of Bishopville.

ROCKY DICKSON MANNING — Rocky Dickson, 64, husband of Jannie Brand Dickson, died on Friday, May 30, 2014, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence.

Born on Jan. 6, 1950, in the Olanta section of Florence County, he was a son of the late Melvin and Agnes Nero Dickson.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 2515 McElveen Lane, Effingham.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES B. SMITH James Boson Smith, 90, of 133 Fishers Wood Road, Columbia, died on May 31, 2014, at the Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia.

Born on June 27, 1923, in Horry County, he was a son of the late William Ozier Smith and Martha James Smith. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962 and served his country until he retired as an E-4.

He joined Bethel AME Church and was a faithful member of the Sunday school class, trustee and choir. He worked as a driver for Yellow Cab Co., until his health declined.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Arthur Smith.

His loving and fond memories will be cherished by his five grandchildren, Gwendolyn Smith, Tia Barker, Patricia Billups, Stacey (Timothy) Hunter and James A (Deloris) Smith Jr.; an adopted daughter, Syvestrice (Jeffrey) Kindrick of Clarksville, Tennessee; a special friend, Victoria Gallashaw; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing for Mr. Smith will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Bethel AME Church, Wedgefield, with Pastor Larry Clark. Burial will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of Louise Canty Kinder, 2750 Burnt Gin Road, Wedgefield.

Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.

CAROL N. JOHNSON BISHOPVILLE — Carol Nesbitt Johnson, 78, wife of Calbert W. Johnson Sr., died on Monday, June 2, 2014, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville.

Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Wilson McCoy Nesbitt and Lizzie Pierce Nesbitt. She was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Her first love was her church and her family. For the past seven years, she had been serving as the president of Constance Herbert Sunday School Class.

She also served as volunteer treasurer of the Lee County Care Center. She was a 1953 graduate of Bishopville High School and worked as a secretary at her high school alma mater for six years after graduation. The Senior Class of 1960 dedicated their yearbook to her, the greatest honor that could be bestowed upon a school employee. She was employed by Peoples Bank as head cashier for 25 years and retired from Folsom CPA after 25 years of faithful service there.

Survivors include her husband of Bishopville; a son, Bill Johnson (Lisa) of Bishopville; a grandson, Trey Johnson; a granddaughter, Caroline Johnson; a sister, Molly N. Moore of Bishopville; a niece, Susie Chavis of Bishopville; and two nephews, Andy Caughman of Bishopville and Mike Nesbitt of Elliott.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Watson and the Rev. Jim Ridenhour officiating.

Burial will be in the Bethlehem United Methodist Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home, 234 Roundup Drive.

Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010 or to Lee County Care Center, P.O. Box 464, Bishopville, SC 29010.

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B7

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.

HANNAH SEYMOUR Hannah Pauline Brogdon Seymour, 89, widow of William Irvin Seymour, died on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at National Healthcare Center.

Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Witherspoon Brogdon and Frances Pauline Brunson Brogdon. Mrs. Seymour was a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church. She was a member of the Women’s Southern Baptist Missionary Union and the Santee Baptist Association. She was a graduate of Montreat College and also graduated from the Columbia Hospital Nursing School. She was a retired registered nurse, having been employed for many years at Sumter OB/GYN and Sumter School District as a school nurse.

Surviving are one son, Daniel E. Seymour and wife, Linda, of Morven, North Carolina; one daughter, Jean S. Rogerson and husband, Burrell, of Sumter; three grandchildren, Burrell “Buddy” Rogerson and wife, Jennifer, Jennifer C. Rogerson and Lindsay K. Rogerson; and two great-grandchildren, J. Michael Rogerson and Jackson Rogerson.

She was preceded in death by two sons, James Irvin Seymour and William Hugh Seymour; three brothers, Wilton Brogdon, Joseph Brogdon and Judson P. Brogdon; and one sister, Rosa Lee Brogdon.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Alice Drive Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Clay Smith and the Rev. Dr. W.H. “Rusty” Wilson III officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be past and present deacons of Alice Drive Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150 and Solomon’s Home, 620 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

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.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Zuccarello making name for Norwegian hockey in NHL

BY IRA PODELL The Associated Press NEW YORK — Hockey rarely gets much attention in Norway, a skiing-obsessed nation that turns to soccer when the snow melts. Mats Zuccarello is changing that.

Zuccarello is only the seventh player from Norway to make it to the NHL, and he’s the first to make it to the Stanley Cup finals. Now, “Zucca” has Norwegians staying up late to watch New York Rangers games and checking the stats to see if he scored.

“A lot of Norwegians have fallen in love with Zuccarello,” says Roy Kvatningen, sports editor for Norwegian online paper Nettavisen.

“First and foremost because he’s successful at what he does. He won the scoring title in Norway, he won the scoring title in Sweden, and now he’s playing on the biggest stage in the world.

“He’s also got a cool name and a good personality: confident, but down to earth.”

Former teammates of Zuccarello and his mother are being interviewed by Norwegian media. Downhill skier Kjetil Jansrud and players on the national soccer team have sent him congratulatory messages.

In his fourth NHL season, all with the Rangers, Zuccarello notched 19 goals and 40 assists in 77 games. He added four goals and seven assists in 20 postseason games to help New York get to the finals for the first time in 20 years.

“Some people, like my close family and friends that have been following me since I was young, are really excited,” he said. “I told everyone it’s a huge opportunity for me to play, but at the same time nothing is won yet.”

The affable 26-year-old winger hopes his success will build up hockey at home, but he knows it will take a lot more than that.

“I would love to be a role model for younger players back home and create some more buzz around hockey,” he said. “Hopefully this can help.

If I was Norwegian or not, I would be equally happy to play in the Stanley Cup finals.”

Norway finished last in the Sochi Olympic hockey tournament. Zuccarello believes a greater commitment is needed within the country before success outside of it can be reached.

“We have 25 rinks. There is no ice in the rinks during the whole summer,” he said. “...

How are you supposed to be a

good hockey player when you go four months with no ice?”

Zuccarello says Norway hasn’t made a commitment to hockey since Oslo hosted the 1952 Olympics.

“Nothing,” he said in a frustrated tone. “We have one new rink in Norway that is not from ‘52. They have renewed it a little bit, but our main rink in Oslo was built in ‘52, and that’s not good enough. It’s got to start from the top. It’s going to cost money, but the government has money. You’ve got to use it to get new rinks, get people excited to go to a hockey game with new seats.

Norway is considered the “little brother” in hockey circles to Sweden and Finland.

Sweden has 10 times as many rinks than Norway, Kvatningen said.

Zuccarello was fortunate to attend a hockey-centric high school and then played three seasons in Norway’s elite league. From there he went to Modo in Sweden’s premier league before signing a free agent deal with the Rangers in 2010.

He watched the Stanley Cup finals as a youngster in the early morning hours. The first one he recalls was the Colorado Avalanche’s victory over Florida in 1996 when he was 8.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) will be the first player from Norway to make the Stanley Cup finals when the Rangers face Los Angeles today in the first game of the 7-game series.

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CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS SERVICES Business Services Land clearing on site mulching, tree and brush grinding, Free estimates. David 803-972-1090

803-774-1234 OR TO PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE GO TO WWW.THE ITEM.COM/PLACEMYAD For Sale or Trade

Unfurnished Homes

Manufactured Housing

Martin's Used Appliance Washers, Dryers, Refrig., Stoves.

3Br home Burgess Ct. $495/mo & 2Br Apt Miller Rd. $395/mo.

774-8512 / 983-5691

Looking for your DREAM HOME? LOW CREDIT SCORE? Been turned down for bad credit?

Come try us, we do our own financing. We have 3-4-5 bedroom homes. Layaway program available. For more information, call 843-389-4215.

Guarantee 464-5439 or 469-7311

3 or 4BR house (N of Manning on 301). $700/mo + $700/dep.

473-3301

EMPLOYMENT

Home Improvements

Help Wanted Full-Time

H.L. Boone, Contractor additions, painting, roofing, gutters, sheetrock, blown ceilings, decks. 773-9904

Herbicide Spray Tech for industrial weed control. Overnight travel req. Comm. pesticide applicators licensed useful. 803-428-6652

Lawn Service Rawls Lawncare: Clean up, Trim Shubery, Cut Grass, Pressure Wash & more. Free Estimates.

Lic/Insured. 803-425-4845 Four Seasons Lawn Care Serving Sumter for almost 20 yrs!

Free est. 494-9169/468-4008 Precision Lawn Care..mowing, weed and insect control, shrub and bed care. Over 40 years experience. 803-840-5257, Oxendine & Son Lawn Care All your lawn care needs & pressure washing. Call Jonathan 803-565-2160 or Kerry 316-8726.

Cooper's Lawn Care General lawn maintenance! Lic. & ins.

Price starts at $30. 803-565-1894

Roofing All Types of Roofing & Repairs All work guaranteed. 30 yrs exp.

SC lic. Virgil Bickley 803-316-4734.

C&B Roofing Superior work afford. prices. Free est., Sr. disc.

Comm/Res 30 yr warr 290-6152

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

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

PETS & ANIMALS

Skilled Serviceman needed.

Experience in Home repairs required.

To apply call 803-469-3222 or drop resumes off at 2735 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150 Full-time Residential Manager.

Qualifications: An associate degree in a human service area; 3 years' experience working with persons with developmental disabilities; good communication skills a must (written and verbal); good computer skills a must; a valid SC driver's license. Requires some shift/weekend work.

Salary: $26,500 PY. Benefits: SC Retirement, State Insurance, Annual/Sick Leave, Paid Holidays.

Submit letter of interest and resume to Lee County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, Attn: HR Department, Post Office Box 468, Bishopville, SC 29010 through 6/11/2014 NEEDED Electricians & Helpers Residential - Production Great Company Benefits Call 877-797-7603 Warehouse Position Must be reliable, some knowledge of hardware. Wally's Hardware 1291 Broad St. Ext. F/T kennel assistant needed.

Exp. with animals helpful. P/T receptionist for busy animal clinic. Send resume to: P-358 c/o The Item, PO Box 1677, Sumter, SC, 29151.

Help Wanted Part-Time $$$ AVON $$$ FREE TRAINING! 803-422-5555

Dogs

Work Wanted

AKC Rottweiler Puppies, 7 wks old. Tails docked, dewclaw removed, dewormed, 1st shots. $350 ea. Call 803-428-7279.

I have 15 Years Experience as a Caregiver for Elderly and Young.

Give me a call today , can start immediately 803-764-5227

RENTALS Rooms for Rent

MERCHANDISE Furniture / Furnishings Furniture For Sale Sumter Cabinet Bedroom set, Couches, Bookcase, Table with 4 chairs, Desk//hutch, Kitchen cabinets & lamps. Call 775-9925

Garage, Yard & Estate Sales KARVELAS ESTATE SALE 777 Mattison Ave Sumter, SC 29150 June 6th 11-4 June 7th 9-3 June 9th 12-4. Follow us this Weekend to the Estate of a Wonderful Estate in Sumter, SC. This 6 bedroom home is absolutely FULL! SIX Bedrooms all furnished with Nothing but the Highest Quality of furniture, Crystal, China and Collectibles. Hickory Chair, Hitchcock, Hummels, etc. www.estatesaleguys.com.

803-467-3655 LARGE GARAGE SALE 1st & 3rd Weekend Tables $1 & Up FLEA MARKET BY SHAW AFB

Open every weekend.

905-4242

For Sale or Trade Used Daycare Furniture for sale.

Call 803-494-8427 Expert Tech, New & used heat pumps & A/C. Will install/repair, warranty; Compressor & labor $600. Call 803-968-9549 or 843-992-2364 Antique English Brass /Iron Bed $350 & Pie Safe $625 Call 803-491-4200

3BR/1.5BA Oakland Ave. 1,400 sq ft., lg. yard, Millwood Elem. $750 mo. + dep. 303-751-1460.

3 BR house (on 301 N of Manning). $600/mo + $600/dep.

473-3301

Mobile Home Rentals

ROOMS FOR RENT, $100- $125 /wkly. All utilities & cable included.

803-938-2709

Furnished Apartments 1bedroom Apt, liv. rm, kit, bath, fully furnished. $475 per month, incl. TV, garbage, water and sewer. Quiet Country Setting. No Smoking, drinking or drugs!

803-481-0015 Excellent for elderly person.

Unfurnished Apartments Senior Living Apartments for those 62+ (Rent based on income) Shiloh-Randolph Manor 125 W. Bartlette.

775-0575 Studio/1 Bedroom apartments available EHO

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11:30 a.m. the day before for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday edition.

9:30 a.m. Friday for Saturday’s edition 11:30 a.m. Friday for Sunday’s edition.

We will be happy to change your ad if an error is made; however we are not responsible for errors after the first run day. We shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the printing or omission of an advertisement.

We reserve the right to edit, refuse or cancel any ad at any time.

TRANSPORTATION

Mopeds / ATVs / Motorcycles

Investment Opportunity (4) Mobile home in Windsor City. $1,780 per month income. All occupied. $25,000. Call for info. 469-6978

2003 FXD Dyna Super Glide Annv. Edit. 5K mIles Garage kept, windshield, saddlebags, shorty pull backs, fwd controls, Vance & Hines pipes, padded sissy $7000 Call 803 481-8740

(2) 3 & 4BR/2BA (Dalzell). Easy Financing. 803-983-8084

Autos For Sale

Homes for Sale DEERFIELD 4BR 2BA, 2800 Sq Ft., Large Lot, Call 491-4200

2008 International 4300 Truck, 26,000 GVWR Maxxforce DT 466 air brakes, 26' Van Body, air ride suspension. No CDL required 175K mi. $38,000 Call 803 773-7012 for appt.

Oaklawn MHP: 2 BR M.H.'s, water/sewer/garbage pk-up incl'd.

RV parking avail. Call 494-8350

WE'VE MOVED Vestco Southland, Palmetto Properties & Lafayette Gold and Silver 480 E. Liberty Street (Inside the Coca-Cola bldg).

We buy Gold, Silver, Jewelry, Silver Coins/Collections, Sterling, Diamonds, Pocket & Wrist Watches. Business Hours Mon-Fri 8:30AM-5:30PM, Sat 8AM-2PM. 803-773-8022

1999 Nissan Pick up. Auto, All power, bedliner, toolbox. Call 803-473-7644 COUNTRY SPRING SALE "Remember Cars are like eggs" Cheaper in the country!

Financing Available 99 Ford Ranger 4D $4,995 07 Ford F150 Supercab $8,995 04 Chevy Z71 4x4 Xt cab $11,995 08 Chevy Trailblazer $10,995 07 Chevy Malibu $6,995 '08 Ford Focus $8,995 '07 Dodge Magnum SXT $8,995 '09 Honda Accord (Lded) $13,995 '010 Dodge Charger SXT $13,995 '013 Dodge Charger SE $20,500

STATEBURG COURTYARD 2 & 3 BRs 803-494-4015 (Scenic Lake) 3BR 2BA 16x80.

No pets Call 803-499-1500. From 9am- 5pm WE'VE MOVED. Vestco, Palmetto & Southland Properties & Lafayette Gold and Silver. 480 E Liberty Street (inside Coca-Cola building), 773-8022

Mobile Home Lot Rentals 130 Hoyt St. Sumter County close to downtown.

Call 864-349-1400.

Ocean Lakes 2BR/2BA C/H/A Sleeps 8, near ocean, Call 803-773-2438

Vacation Rentals Santee/Lake Marion: Sandy 200 ft beach, 3BR, dock, sleeps 6-7.

Disc. for military. 803-492-3077

Office Rentals 1000 sqft office space for lease. 2 offices, conference room and reception area. 730-C Broad St., $650/mo. Call (803) 494-6204

Commercial Rentals 1750 Sq Ft of Warehouse space with 1/2 Bath 791 E Liberty St $450 Mo. Call 803-983-0350 Building for rent could use for Church or Other. Near Manning on Silver Rd. 803-473-3301

REAL ESTATE Manufactured Housing 4BR 32x80 DW w//land for sale.

Payments approx. $600/mo. Call 803-236-5953

Beer & Wine License county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Hare Pritam, LLC, intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Liquor at 5236-B Dingle Pond Rd, Summerton, SC 29148. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than June 6, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same county where the proposed place of business is located or within five miles of the business; and (5) the name of the applicant and the address of the premises to be licensed. Protests must be mailed to: S.C. Department of Revenue, ATTN: ABL, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214; or Faxed to: (803) 896-0110.

Bid Notices

GOING FAST 2 & 3BR 2BA Homes available immediately! Site rent as low as $180. Refer a friend & get $100. For more info please call 803-469-8515 or visit us at www.mhcomm.com.

Resort Rentals

Pets Free to good home! 2 Black (M) kittens, 8 weeks, seek loving home. Call 803-773-5719

Houses & Mobile Homes in Sumter & Manning. 2 Br & 3 Br. First month's rent and security deposit required. Please call 803-225-0389.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 04, 2014

Ernest Baker Auto Sales & Equip.

3349 N. Main St., Hwy 15N. Across from Mozingo Conv. Store 803-469-9294

Mobile Home Lots 2540 Burt Gin Rd, Wedgefield .9 acres with storage bldg $150 mo. Agent Owned. Call 236-2425

Farms & Acreage For Sale By Owner, 10 Acres, 8 miles to Sumter. $55,000. Owner Financing 803-427-3888.

53.26 Acres (Clarendon Co) 4 ponds & Cabin with power, also established road. Ducks, turkeys, fish, deer. Call 803-481-2048 pin# 9129 2540 Burt Gin Rd, .9 acres in Manchester with horse barn.. $150 mo. Agent Owned. Call 236-2425

Land & Lots for Sale Dalzell 16.57 acre paved. $2425 dn. $580 mo. 120 mos. $2500 Ac. 888-774-5720.

Minutes Walmart/Shaw, 1 Ac, Water, Electric, Paved $6,000 cash. 888-774-5720

96 Ford Ranger 2.3 Eng. 5Sp, 31 MPGH. $2,650 OBO Call 803-840-4125 2012 Impala LT, fully equipped.

Bumper to Bumper GM warranty. $13,900. Call 840-7633

Antiques / Classic Cars 1954 Cheverlot Belair 4dr, hard top, very good condition.

803-468-5215.

LEGAL NOTICES Beer & Wine License Notice Of Application Notice is hereby given that Dolgencorp, LLC intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license permit that will allow the sale OFF premises consumption of Beer & Wine at Store 13025, 1030 Pocalla Road, Sumter, SC 29150. To object to the issuance of this permit / license, written protest must be postmarked no later than June 20, 2014. For a protest to be valid, it must be in writing, and should include the following information: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; (3) that the person protesting is willing to attend a hearing (if one is requested by the applicant); (4) that the person protesting resides in the same

SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BID SOLICITATION PROJECT NAME: PAINTING PROJECTS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at Sumter School District in the Maintenance Department, 1345 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150 on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Afterwards, we will have a mandatory walk-thru visiting various schools.

Bid packets and specifications will be distributed to attendees at the pre-bid conference.

Sealed bids will be opened on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

For direct inquiries and/or questions, please contact Clyde Chan, 803-968-4106 or Clyde.Chan@sumterschools.net.

Summons & Notice SUMMONS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF SUMTER IN THE FAMILY COURT TIDRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CASE NO. 05-DR-43CURTIS DALEY, JR. PLAINTIFF -vsDEBBIE LYNN DALEY, DEFENDANT TO THE DEFENDANT ABOVE-NAMED: DEBBIE LYNN DALEY: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint on the subscriber at Post Office Box 2020, Ridgeland, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days from the service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgement by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

CATHERINE D. BADGETT Attorney for the Plaintiffs Post Office Box 2020 Ridgeland, South Carolina 29936

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 Call Ivy Moore at: (803) 774-1221 | E-mail: ivym@theitem.com

Frame & Frequency opens in Gallery135

Contemporary show explores visual culture

BY IVY MOORE ivym@theitem.com (803) 774-1221

T

he Sumter County Cultural Commission continues to bring emerging artists working in the newest media to its Gallery 135/Patriot Hall. On Friday night, it will open the first exhibition from the South to South International Video Art Exchange Program Frame & Frequency. Also sponsored by the Sumter County Gallery of Art, Bivouac Projects and PLECTO Galleria de Arte, the show can be seen through July 18.

The public is invited to the 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday reception for the exhibition co-curated by Frank McCauley of the Sumter County Gallery of Art, Liliana Hernandez and Victor Muñoz.

Frame & Frequency: A Survey of International Video Art illustrates the key role of video in today’s art practice, McCauley said, adding that “it differs from other art mediums specifically by its technicality, its ephemeral and perhaps at times intangible nature, as well as its mutability and adaptability in terms of the aesthetic processes within the medium.”

Viewing — and making — the relatively new art form offers a very different experience from that of painting and sculpture, McCauley pointed out.

“Video art requires a longer commitment of time on the part of the viewer in order to render an aesthetic judgment,” he said, “but hopefully also a more immersive experience as well.”

The artists in the exhibition comprise “a diverse group of artists representing multi-generational and cultural backgrounds, nationalities and personal histories, while demonstrating the artists’ impressive command of video and new media technologies,” McCauley said.

Work by the 12 international artists from Bogotá to Medellín, Colombia in South America and from Canada to California and New York, employs “new media, experimental film and video works (to) explore contemporary visual culture and presents

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Frame & Frequency video art exhibition

Yoni Goldstein and Meredith Zeilke collaborated to make the video work above titled “The Jettisoned.”

Friday through July 18 Opening reception: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Friday Free admission Gallery135/Patriot Hall 135 Haynsworth St. (803) 436-2260 www.sumtergallery.org/ bivouacprojects.html

Felipe Castleblanco’s “Driftless” can be viewed at Gallery135/Patriot Hall through July 18. Frank McCauley, who co-curated the exhibition titled Frame & Frequency, also has a piece in the show.

“Inertes,” above, is Victor Muñoz’s piece in the video art exhibition that explores the relatively new medium.

Jillian McDonald’s “Valley of the Deer” can be seen in the exhibition of video art that opens with a free public reception Friday at Gallery135/Patriot Hall. an intimate panorama of the variety and breadth of video

art in artistic practice today — including various themes

such as the cinematic, appropriation, formal investiga-

tions of video as a medium, corporeality, documentation of a performance, as well as 3-D photography augmented by computer graphics, and large-scale multi-channel video installations,” he said.

The artists in Frame & Frequency are Rossina Bossio, Victor Muñoz, Frank McCauley, Jillian Mcdonald, Bill Domonkos, Yoni Goldstein and Meredith Zielke, Dani Pavlic, Steve Snell, Ellen Mueller, Felipe Castelblanco and Alvaro Martin.

The Sumter County Cultural Commission continually strives to engage community members of all ages in the creation, contemplation, and appreciation of the visual arts. Gallery 135 focuses its efforts on presenting temporary exhibitions throughout the year featuring local, regional and emerging artists, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists from diverse backgrounds, working in a variety of media.

Father recounts Howard’s start in Hollywood

BY NICK THOMAS Tinseltown Talks Special to The Sumter Item Following the professional path of a parent isn’t always easy, especially if that career is acting. Brothers Clint and Ron Howard long ago escaped their father’s acting shadow, with Ron starring in two popular TV shows, “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days,” and going on to become one of Hollywood’s most respected modern directors.

At 85, father Rance Howard is a veteran of hundreds of film and TV roles. With his late actress wife Jean, he went to great lengths to ensure their sons didn’t fall victim to the temptations of early fame and fortune.

“We were well aware of all the traps that Hollywood parents and children fall into when the child becomes the breadwinner,” said Howard.

“We were determined to live on what I could afford, and put the boys’ money away for them.”

But young Ronny, as he was known growing up, didn’t profit much from his first film appearance, which was also his

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ronny Howard, center, his younger brother Clint and their father Rance all appeared in a1963 episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled “A Black Day for Mayberry.” Now 85, Rance is still acting. father’s debut in a significant feature film role.

“It was called ‘Frontier Woman’ in 1956, filmed in Mississippi and about Daniel Boone’s daughter, Polly,” recalled Howard. “Jean also had a small part and we wanted to somehow get Ron into the picture, too. He was only 18 months old, but we thought it would be wonderful for our parents to see their grandson in a movie with us.”

Howard approached the director with the idea, but was rebuffed. “He said he couldn’t

be bothered.”

That changed after Howard’s final scene.

“My character gets shot with an arrow then plunges off a balcony, and the director asked if I could do the stunt,” said Howard. “I did it, and he was so pleased he told me to bring Ron the next day and (he) would work him into the movie.”

The director decided to include baby Ronny in a scene where a politician was addressing a crowd.

“He wanted someone in the

crowd to distract the political speech and asked if we could make Ron cry,” said Howard.

“So I thought about it. There were a couple of Native American boys from the Pearl River Reservation who were working in the film. Ron had become fascinated by one of their prop tomahawks and would bawl whenever it was taken away from him.”

As the shooting began for the scene, Ron was held by his mother off camera with the weapon in his hands.

“Just before the camera comes around to Jean and Ron, one of the boys snatches the tomahawk away and Ron begins to howl,” recalled Howard. “The politician stops, comes over to Jean and says ‘You’d better take that baby home lady, I think he’s sick.’

And that was Ron’s introduction to movie making!”

Years later, as a director, Ron Howard would “get even” with his dad by casting him in many of his movies. Rance played a minister in “Apollo 13” (1995) and was a cardinal in “Angels and Demons” (2009).

“I’ve played doctors, judges,

sheriffs – as a character actor, I’ve run the gamut,” said Howard. “But someone checked and told me I’ve played more men of the cloth than any other actor!”

In the coming year, Howard and his sons have numerous film projects in various stages of development. Howard’s daughter-in-law, Cheryl, and two granddaughters, Bryce and Paige, have also acted.

And the family added more talent with Rance’s second wife, Judy.

“She’s a journalist, playwright, screen writer, and author of two books,” said Howard. “We first met in 1987 when I was acting in a play she had written. So we’re all busy, although roles are harder to come by in your eighties.”

“On the upside,” he added “there aren’t too many people around to compete for those roles!”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 400 magazines and newspapers. Reach him at getnickt@getnickt.com.

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FOOD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

THE SUMTER ITEM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Baked Prosciutto-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers is a baked version of a fried favorite.

This jalapeno popper will become Dad’s favorite

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer What to do on Father’s Day when it’s time to eat and you want to serve something manly and filling? Other than steak, that is. Here’s a nominee that re-engineers a classic sports bar appetizer — jalapeno poppers.

Standard jalapeno poppers are thumb-sized hot peppers stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar cheese, then breaded and deep-fried.

Yummy, but most home cooks aren’t too excited for the mess of deep-frying. That’s why there also is a baked version — half a jalapeno stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon.

Both types are delicious, but neither is all that healthy.

After all, we want to keep Dad around for a while. So my version delivers guy’s guy gratification without overdoing it.

From a culinary point of view, jalapeno poppers make complete sense. Nothing tames a chili’s heat like dairy.

That’s why so many cultures serve their fiery entrees with dairy as a side dish. The Mexicans team up spicy tortillas with crema. The Indians serve hot curries with yogurt-based raita. And that’s why cheese is right at home in a jalapeno popper.

But it doesn’t have to be high-fat cheese. The fresh goat cheese in this recipe delivers the required creaminess, while a very modest amount of Parmigiano-Reggiano delivers the required flavor.

I brightened up the filling with scallions and lemon zest, then wrapped the stuffed jalapeno in prosciutto, my substitute for bacon. Though it has a lot less fat than bacon, prosciutto boasts big pork flavor. And when it’s baked, as it is here, it’s nice

BAKED PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED JALAPENO POPPERS Start to finish: 45 minutes (30 minutes active) Servings: 6 4 ounces fresh goat cheese 1 ounce grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1/4 cup finely chopped scallion greens 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 6 jalapeno peppers 3 ounces (12 slices) prosciutto Heat the oven to 450 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then coat it with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, scallion greens and lemon zest.

Halve the jalapenos lengthwise and carefully remove the ribs and seeds (wear rubber gloves if necessary to protect your hands). Stuff each half with the cheese mixture, being sure to use all of the cheese mixture.

Wrap 1 slice of prosciutto around each stuffed jalapeno half, overlapping the ends of the prosciutto on the bottom of the jalapeno. Arrange the poppers on the prepared baking sheet, then bake on the oven’s center rack until the prosciutto is slightly crispy, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving: 110 calories; 60 calories from fat (55 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 25 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 10 g protein; 540 mg sodium.

and crispy, which eliminates the need to coat the pepper with breadcrumbs.

A couple of tips for preparing the jalapenos.

First, be sure to wear rubber gloves when you’re halving

and gutting the peppers. No matter how macho you’re feeling, you don’t want those capsaicin oils burning your hands. Also, use a grapefruit spoon, if you have one, to remove the pepper’s innards

— its ribs and seeds — which are the hottest parts of a chili.

Then serve it to the big guy with pride. He’ll never notice that many of its typical ingredients have gone AWOL.

Summer brings another chance to try new veggies

BY MICHELE KAYAL Associated Press Writer

that kohlrabi’s going to be the next big thing,” says Martha Rose Shulman, author most Spring is back and so are recently of “The Simple Art farmers markets. And that means a whole new chance to of Vegetarian Cooking” (Rodale, 2014), noting that some make friends with strange and unusual vegetables. Or to companies are beginning to package kohlrabi for lunch rehabilitate some old familboxes. iars.

“Shred it to make a slaw or The number of farmers a stir-fry with kohlrabi and markets has more than dousome greens,” she says. “I rebled during the past decade, cently had a really great topping more than 8,000 in 2013. Matching that prolifera- salad — feta, olives, a little tion is equally wild growth in diced kohlrabi. It really abthe variety of produce sold at sorbs the dressing.”

Shulman also is a big fan of them. Heirloom tomatoes and pea shoots, slender tendrils carrots in funky colors? from the same plant. They That’s just the start. Think taste like peas, but can be rainbow-spectrum radishes, treated like greens. “Those unusual peas, beans and leare just beautiful,” she says. gumes; gooseberries and “I like to use those in stirquince. fries and just cook them up But trying something new and serve them up as a side.

— whether it’s an unfamiliar They’re very good with vegetable or an exotic preparation — can be intimidating. grains.”

Cardoons, a member of the The best advice is to start thistle family that’s a foraged slow. food for many Italians, also can If you like arugula, branch be found at some farmers marout to watercress. In baby kets. “Certainly cardoons are a form, it’s a perfect salad vegetable that people are mysgreen, a sturdier, even more tified with when they do see it,” peppery alternative to the says Michele Scicolone, whose more ubiquitous arugula. It most recent book is “The Italalso makes a stellar pesto, ian Vegetable Cookbook” says Diana Henry, author (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, most recently of the cookbook “A Change of Appetite” 2014).

“You have to blanche it and (Octopus Publishing, 2014). “I peel it and then you can bread actually like it better than it and fry it or gratinee it with basil pesto,” Henry says.

“Basil can be quite perfumed. butter and cheese, and it’s very tasty,” she says. “It tastes like This is a bit more earthy, artichoke hearts.” more peppery.”

Scicolone also champions If you like cabbage, try zucchini flowers, another Italkohlrabi. A stout bulb with a ian specialty that can be thick skin, the flesh is crisp chopped for a frittata, tossed in like a radish, and as brightly flavored as cabbage. “I predict a salad, or stuffed with mozza-

rella and deep fried. “It may seem like an exotic delicacy, but to a hungry Italian of a certain era, it’s a vegetable,” she says. “When I was a kid, my mom would make little fritters with them. We would eat them like that for an appetizer.”

Too shy to try? You can still set your sights on new preparations for old standbys. Henry tosses copious bundles of fresh herbs and edible flowers into salads. She thinly shaves carrots, beets and fennel and dresses them with nothing but lemon, oil and salt. Sometimes carrot is paired with the spicy Japanese radish called daikon.

“Carrot is sweet, but (daikon) has a peppery taste,” she says. “When you mix them together you get an interplay with them.”

And don’t forget about spinach, Shulman says. “We’ve gotten so used to bagged baby spinach year round, but there’s nothing to compare with a lush bunch of spinach that’s just been harvested,” she says.

Blanch it, steam it or hit it with olive oil, garlic and herbs and toss it into a frittata, gratin or quiche. “They are so sweet, and so worth the time it takes to get the sand out,” she says.

If you’re more the type to stick with the usual vegetable suspects, we’ve made it easy to at least take them for a spin in a new direction. For zucchini, we’ve given you a simple, but delicious recipe for grilling.

And for eggplant, we turn it into a bruschetta topping that packs tons of flavor.

SEE EGGPLANT, PAGE C3

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SMOKY GRILLED ZUCCHINI Start to finish: 15 minutes Servings: 6 3 medium zucchini 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons brown sugar Fresh limes, for squeezing Heat the grill to medium-high. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then rub them all over with the olive oil.

In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika and brown sugar.

Sprinkle all over the zucchini. Grill the zucchini until tender and charred, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Nutrition information per serving: 45 calories; 20 calories from fat (44 percent of total calories); 2.5 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 1 g protein; 170 mg sodium.

(Recipe from Alison Ladman)

FOOD

THE SUMTER ITEM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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C3

Chicken, shrimp can bulk up this farro, veggie salad

BY SARA MOULTON Associated Press Writer Back in my restaurants days, we used to make a delicious summer salad of white rice with peas, shredded carrots and radishes dressed with a dill mayonnaise. It was tasty and filling but, in retrospect, I can’t say it was terribly nutritious. But I figured there had to be a way to make it lighter, and there was.

I started by replacing the white rice with farro. An ancient and nutritious form of whole wheat from Italy, farro boasts a pleasingly nutty taste and a slightly chewy texture.

It’s not as popular here as it should be because too many home cooks think that it is complicated and/or time consuming to make. Neither is true.

What is true is that the prep time for farro depends largely on the variety you buy. There are three kinds sold in America — whole, semipearled and pearled. All three tend to be labeled simply “farro,” though the instructions on the back of the package are more specific.

Whole farro — bran and husk included — is the most nutritious and takes the longest to cook. Pearled farro — with the bran and husk removed — takes the least time. In any case, just follow the instructions on the back of the package and plan ahead. If you cook a big batch during the weekend, you can freeze it in 2-, 3- or 4-cup portions, then use just what you need during the week.

I retired the peas in the original recipe in favor of edamame. Peas are plenty nutritious, but edamame really jack up the protein content. Steamed in the pod, then sprinkled with salt — simple and delicious — edamame are a staple appetizer in Japanese restaurants. Most grocers offer both shelled and in-thepod varieties (check the freezer aisle). For this recipe, you’ll want the shelled version. They boil up in about 5 minutes.

I’ve retained the shredded carrots and the radishes from the original recipe, but I’ve ditched the full-fat mayonnaise in favor of ranch dressing.

Thanks to its buttermilk base, ranch dressing is one of those magical ingredients that is at

EGGPLANT, FROM PAGE C2

GRILLED EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA This eggplant mixture also is delicious over grilled chicken or haddock.

Start to finish: 15 minutes active, plus 2 hours resting Servings: 8 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick slices 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 medium tomatoes, seeds removed, diced 2 ribs celery, diced 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cored and diced 3 scallions, sliced 6 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn Balsamic glaze, to serve Baguette or pita, to serve Heat the grill to medium. Use 2 tablespoons of the oil to brush each eggplant slice on both sides. Sprinkle the slices with salt and pepper.

Grill until tender, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Allow the eggplant slices to cool until easily handled, then dice. In a large bowl, gently mix together the eggplant, tomatoes, celery, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to sit for at least 2 hours for best flavor. Serve on baguette or pita bread and drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Nutrition information per serving: 100 calories; 70 calories from fat (70 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 4 g sugar; 2 g protein; 140 mg sodium.

(Recipe from Alison Ladman)

once full of flavor and low in calories. I partnered the buttermilk with some of the usual suspects: a bit of oil, a bit of low-fat mayonnaise, and some garlic and fresh herbs.

Then, I kicked in a twist of my own, chopped cucumber, which adds a fresh flavor. At the end of the day, this is a dressing with legs; it would make a lovely dip for raw vegetables and a tangy sauce for grilled chicken or shrimp.

The salad as a whole also is pretty versatile. If you have carnivores coming for dinner, you can bulk it up with some of the aforementioned chicken or shrimp. I’d be content with a sprinkling of feta, but I know The Husband — like so many guys — would appreciate something more substantial.

FARRO AND VEGETABLE SALAD WITH CUCUMBER RANCH DRESSING Start to finish: 20 minutes Servings: 6 1/2 cup coarsely chopped seedless cucumber 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Salt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon, dill or parsley 2 cups cooked farro (follow package directions) 1 cup cooked shelled edamame 1 cup coarsely shredded carrots 1 cup coarsely shredded radishes 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional) In a blender, combine the cucumber, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, lemon juice, oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Puree until smooth. Stir in the

chives and tarragon, then transfer to a jar and set aside.

In a large bowl, toss together the farro, edamame, carrots and radishes. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, add the feta to the salad, if using. Toss the salad with two thirds of the dressing, then divide among 6 serving plates. Serve the extra dressing on the side.

Nutrition information per serving: 240 calories; 110 calories from fat (46 percent of total calories); 12 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 15 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 9 g protein; 310 mg sodium.

C6

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COMICS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

BIZARRO

SOUP TO NUTZ

ANDY CAPP

GARFIELD

BEETLE BAILEY

BORN LOSER

BLONDIE

ZITS

MOTHER GOOSE

DOG EAT DOUG

DILBERT

JEFF MACNELLY’S SHOE

Alzheimer’s numbers to soar with aging population DEAR ABBY — More and more of my friends are trying to work and take care of parents who have AlDear Abby zheimer’s disease. One ABIGAIL of my closVAN BUREN est friends’ husbands was recently diagnosed with it. He is only 62. I thought Alzheimer’s was only memory loss, but it seems like so much more. His personality has changed. She tells me he gets angry with her when she tries to help him.

What exactly is Alzheimer’s, and what can be done to stop it?

THE SUMTER ITEM

Unsure in Oak Park. Illinois DEAR UNSURE — I’m sorry to say — from personal experience — that Alzheimer’s disease, while often thought of as “minor memory loss,” is a disease that is ultimately fatal. Its cause is not yet understood. I lost my mother to it. Alzheimer’s kills nerve cells and tissue in the brain, causing it to shrink dramatically. It affects a person’s ability to communicate, to think and, eventually, to breathe. At least 44 million people worldwide are now living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. As our populations age, those numbers will swell to 76 million by 2030.

Currently there is no way

to prevent, stop or even to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Some drugs manage the symptoms, but only temporarily.

This is why more funding for Alzheimer’s and more support for the families who are caring for loved ones who have it are so urgently needed. Please suggest to your friend that she contact the Alzheimer’s Association for help because it offers support groups for spouses.

Readers, June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. If you are concerned about Alzheimer’s disease -- and we all should be -- you can get involved by joining the global fight against this very nasty disease. To learn more, visit alz.org/abam.

JUMBLE

SUDOKU

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

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

THE DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Elevators, in Leeds 6 Milo of “Ulysses” 11 Squelch 14 Classic soap 15 Complete, for short 16 Gold, in them thar cerros 17 *Computer logic game named for a warship 19 Novelist Umberto 20 Place to pick up litter?

21 “__ better to have loved ...”: Tennyson 23 Radical ‘60s gp.

24 *Loose-leaf organizer 29 Electrical measure 31 Formal talk 32 Blue shade 34 Fed 36 Elevator innovator 37 *Upscale golfwear brand 40 Indochina country 41 Elevated for driving 42 “Draft Dodger Rag” singer Phil 43 Entertainer 45 Durable wood 46 *Recruiting specialist 49 eHarmony.

com abbr.

52 Leaves at Starbucks?

53 Like herb gardens 56 Serious hwy. violation 58 Phoenixbased ballplayer, and what the start of each answer to a starred clue can be 61 NASDAQ debut 62 Like some seals 63 Minolta competitor 64 Mark, as a survey box 65 PowerPoint unit 66 WWII surrender celebration DOWN 1 Favors one side 2 Like some college walls 3 Assortment in a formatting menu 4 Cuatro menos uno 5 Fed. Reserve, for one 6 ‘90s “SNL” regular Cheri 7 Polished look 8 Old school dance 9 Before, to Blake 10 __ valve: heart part

11 Splits the tab 12 Welding flash 13 Slime 18 Fishhook attachment 22 Communicating regularly 25 Endocrinologist’s concern 26 Give a little 27 Estrada and Satie 28 Legal thing 29 Slim, as chances go 30 Bowler, e.g.

32 Without __ in the world 33 Entry at Bartleby.com 34 There’s always a hole in one 35 West of Hollywood 38 Caesarean rebuke 39 Fenway team, on

scoreboards 40 “Well, __-didah!”

44 Oakleys or Ray-Bans 45 Elvis’ middle name 47 Under control 48 Cut into 49 Unemotional 50 Book of Shadows religion 51 Emmy-winning sportscaster Jim 54 16th-century yr.

55 Have __ in one’s bonnet 56 New Jersey fort 57 Press initials 59 Suffix with adverb 60 The 58-Acrosses, on scoreboards

TELEVISION

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7:30

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8:30

9 PM 9:30 LOCAL CHANNELS

10 PM

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11 PM

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WIS News 10 at (:35) The Tonight Show Starring 11:00pm News Jimmy Fallon Tom Cruise from “Edge and weather. of Tomorrow.” (N) (HD) News 19 @ 11pm (:35) Late Show with David LetterUndercover Boss: Massage Heights Criminal Minds: Bully Blake has a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: The news of the man Popular celebrities are interUndercover massage therapist. (HD) tense reunion with family. (HD) Helpless Dead inside human-sized day. viewed. (HD) hamster ball. (HD) The Middle: The The Goldbergs: Modern Family: (:31) The Motive: Overboard A socialite ABC Columbia (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities Smell (HD) Circle of Driving And One to Grow Goldbergs A new drowns after a yacht party. (N) (HD) News at 11 (HD) and human-interest subjects. (HD) (HD) On (HD) channel. (HD) Expeditions: The Nature: Outback Pelicans Australian NOVA: D-Day’s Sunken Secrets A detailed look is taken at the D-Day event Tavis Smiley BBC World News Charlie Rose (N) Quest for the pelicans raise new families. (HD) as machines and divers explore the shipwrecks littering the seafloor near (HD) International (HD) Ivorybill Normandy, and vets share their stories. (HD) news.

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Men Alan moves Men: My Damn Jeans Aunts’ dog. out. (HD) Stalker (HD) (HD) Family Feud Arrow: Identity Roy gets arrested The 100: We Are Grounders Part 1 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Pris- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Un- The Arsenio Hall while he tries to capture the thieves Clarke and Finn face a new foe. (N) oner Prison warden’s wife was kid- chained Mob war with dirty police. Show Tom who are taking supplies. (HD) (HD) napped. (HD) (HD) Bergeron. (HD)

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CABLE CHANNELS Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty (:36) Duck Dy(:02) Duck Dy(:32) Duck Dy(:01) Duck Dy(HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) (HD) nasty (HD) nasty (HD) nasty (HD) nasty (HD) (5:30) Volcano (‘97, Drama) Tommy Angels & Demons (‘09, Thriller) aaa Tom Hanks. Experts in symbolism frantically work together after they Halt and Catch Fire: I/O The com- (:04) Volcano Lee Jones. Lava flows in L.A. discover the mystery connecting a murder, terrorism, the Vatican and lost historical artifacts. (HD) puter boom of the 1980s. (HD) (‘97) aa To Be Announced Treehouse Masters (HD) Treehouse Masters (HD) Treehouse Masters (HD) Treehouse Masters (HD) Treehouse Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family (‘11, Comedy) ac Tyler Perry. A woman must help her niece gather The Message: The Birth and Prolifer- The Message: The Birth and Prolifer- Wendy Williams her family to share upsetting news with them. ation of Hip Hop (N) ation of Hip Hop Show (HD) Million Dollar Listing New York: I The Real Housewives of Orange Million Dollar Listing New York (N) Untying the Knot Million Dollar Listing New York The Real Housewives of Orange Dream of Jeanne County: Choke- Lahoma (N) County: Choke- Lahoma Marijuana Inc: Inside Marijuana USA Illicit business.

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Show (N) (6:15) The Feminine Touch (‘41, Ro- She (‘65, Fantasy) aac Ursula Andress. A man resembles a portrait on an Clash of the Titans (‘81, Adventure) Harry Hamlin. Perseus is sent on a 4 for Texas (‘63) mance) aa Rosalind Russell. old coin, so he searches the truth about it. quest to slay the evil Medusa and save the woman he loves.

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When ‘Jennifer Falls,’ there’s nowhere else to go but up

BY KEVIN MCDONOUGH They don’t make sitcoms like they used to. Except on TV Land, where the folks who used to make sitcoms make sitcoms just like those they were once famous for.

Sean Hayes, star of NBC’s canceled “Sean Saves the World,” has had a better time behind the camera as executive producer of “Hot in Cleveland” (10 p.m., TV Land, TVPG), featuring the stars of “Frasier,” “One Day at a Time,” “The Golden Girls” and “Just Shoot Me!” Otherwise known as Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White and Wendie Malick.

It’s like the comfort food programming offered on Antenna TV, COZI TV and other nostalgia channels, but without as many ads for reverse mortgages.

Into this mix comes “Jennifer Falls” (10:30 p.m., TV Land, TVPG), a “new” show with a familiar cast. Jaime Pressly (“My Name Is Earl”) stars in the title role as an ambitious corporate climber who loses her house, job, dignity and Mercedes in quick succession, and is forced to live with her judgmental mother (Jessica Walter, “Arrested Development”).

I seem to remember Faith Ford (“Murphy Brown”) doing this exact same show in another century. In “Jennifer Falls,” Pressly has to stoop to working as a bartender after having a corner office. In “Maggie Winters” (1998), Faith Ford had to move in with Shirley Knight and get a job at a department store.

But none of this really matters because TV Land is convinced that you’re already nostalgic for a show you haven’t yet seen.

• Bravo plumbs the details of breakups with “Untying the Knot” (10 p.m., TV-14), an odd and strangely entertaining series that turns the conventions of reality shopping series on their heads.

High-powered divorce attorney Vikki Ziegler “stars” here, playing a levelheaded figure who is somewhere between Judge Judy and the Old Testament’s King Solomon. She basically disposes of the few remaining disputed assets keeping separated spouses from signing their divorce papers.

Their marriages may be dead,

ence, TV-PG) is in its fifth season of posing difficult and even controversial questions.

Tonight’s discussion, “Is Poverty Genetic?” is no exception.

A new angle on TV on “The Goldbergs” (9:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Phil behind bars on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TVPG).

• Horses, hamsters and homicide on “CSI” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

• The search for a posh drowning victim’s killer on “Motive” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

SERIES NOTES Scents and sensibility on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * Stolen medicine on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) * Camcorder truths on “The Goldbergs” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) * Everything’s up to date in Kansas City on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV14) * A new foe emerges on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) *

TV LAND

Jennifer Doyle (Jaime Pressly), right, and her daughter (Dylan Gelula) have a heart-to-heart talk on “Jennifer Falls” premiering at 10:30 p.m. today on TV Land. but there’s still a lot of unresolved resentment on display.

And sometimes these feelings become entangled with items that are rather difficult to appraise.

• National Geographic recalls Operation Overlord on its 70th anniversary with “D-Day Sacrifice” (9 p.m., TV-PG).

• “Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman” (10 p.m., Sci-

Gigi Ibrahim is booked on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) * Emily Blunt, Brent Morin and Bob Mould are on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS) * Austin Mahone, Nicole Byer, Heather McDonald and Ryan Stout are on “Chelsea Lately” (11 p.m., E!) * Jonah Hill is on “The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) * Arsenio Hall, Victor Espinoza and The Afghan Whigs are on “Late Show With David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) * Tom Cruise, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Chrissie Hynde on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) * Dan Bakkedahl and Demi Lovato visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) * Susan Sarandon and Garrison Keillor are on “The Late Late Show” (12:35 a.m., CBS).

C8

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014

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THE SUMTER ITEM

Call Rhonda Barrick at: (803) 774-1264 | E-mail: rhondab@theitem.com

Bourbon, maple syrup team up for killer

Barbecue

BY J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor

sauce for saltiness, some cider vinegar for

S

bite, and we’re off to a great sauce.

acid and a bit of Frank’s Red Hot sauce for

imply put, bourbon belongs in barbecue sauce.

This sauce would be delicious on any grilled meat, particularly chicken or

Bourbon, by definition (at least in

ribs. But I decided to slather it on

the U.S.), is distilled from a grain mixture

shrimp. The briny notes of the shrimp

that must be at least 51 percent corn. And

just bring out the delicious sweetness of

corn is naturally sweet. So of course

the sauce.

bourbon makes a wonderful base for a sweet-and-tangy barbecue sauce. It lends deep richness and combines wonderfully

MAPLE-BOURBON BARBECUE SAUCE

with so many of the sweet and bold flavors we associate with a great barbecue sauce.

So that was my inspiration for this recipe — to create an amazing bourbon-based barbecue sauce. But as I researched recipes, I was disappointed to find that so few bourbon barbecue sauces play up the bourbon. Most add just 1/4 cup, or perhaps 1/2 cup at most. I wanted more bourbon flavor, so I went with 1 cup.

For sweetness, I used equal parts maple syrup and brown sugar, both of which have the same rich caramel notes for which bourbon is known. Add some soy

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Maple-Bourbon Barbecue Grilled Shrimp with Couscous

MAPLE-BOURBON BARBECUE GRILLED SHRIMP WITH COUSCOUS Start to finish: 30 minutes (15 minutes active) Servings: 6 2 1/2 cups water Kosher salt 12 ounces Israeli (large pearl) couscous

1 medium English cucumber, diced 1/2 small red onion, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon olive oil

In a medium saucepan over medium-high, bring the water to a boil.

Add the couscous and 1 teaspoon of salt, stir, then cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the couscous is plumped and tender and all of the water is absorbed. When the couscous is done, transfer to a medium bowl. Set in the refrigerator to cool for about 15 minutes.

Once the couscous has cooled, add the cucumber, onion, garlic and cilantro. Toss well, then drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss,

Juice of 1 lemon 2 pounds extra-jumbo raw shrimp, peeled 1/2 cup maple-bourbon barbecue sauce (see recipe below) 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

season with salt, if needed, then divide between 6 serving plates.

Coat the grill grates with oil or cooking spray, then heat the grill to medium-high.

Thread the shrimp onto bamboo skewers, about 6 to 7 shrimp per skewer. Use a pastry brush to lightly baste the shrimp with half of the barbecue sauce. Grill the shrimp for 3 minutes per side, or until just pink and firm. Set skewers of shrimp over each serving of couscous. Sprinkle each serving with feta cheese.

Nutrition information per serving: 570 calories; 80 calories from fat (14 percent of total calories); 9 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 245 mg cholesterol; 69 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 18 g sugar; 41 g protein; 1150 mg sodium.

Start to finish: 30 minutes Makes: 1 1/2 cups 6-ounce can tomato paste 1 cup bourbon 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons Frank’s Red Hot sauce 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon mustard powder In a medium saucepan over medium-high, whisk together all ingredients.

Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat to just maintain a gentle simmer.

Cook until thickened and reduced by about half, about 20 minutes. Cool and refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition information per 2 tablespoons: 160 calories; 5 calories from fat (3 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 22 g sugar; 1 g protein; 590 mg sodium.

The secrets to a summer full of great lemonade

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL Associated Press

H

omemade lemonade is an essential taste of summer. But concentrates and powders simply won’t suffice.

Luckily, great homemade lemonade is as easy as remembering a few numbers — 3-1-1-1. Three cups of cold water, 1 cup of lemon juice, 1 cup of sugar and 1 more cup of water to make the sugar syrup.

The sugar syrup — also called simple syrup — is the key to perfect homemade lemonade. As anyone who has tried to sweeten ice tea knows, sugar does not dissolve well in cold liquids. But simple syrup — a blend of

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Rocking Chair Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade

(typically) equal parts sugar and water that was heated briefly to help the sugar dissolve — mixes beautifully into lemonade, ice tea or cocktails.

When shopping for lemons for lemonade, buy large lemons that feel heavy and are squeezable. I am sure that I am not the only one who has purchased lemons only to cut them and find that half the lemon is rind and there is very little juice. For that reason, I always buy a couple extra. If I think I can get 1 cup of juice from 6 lemons, I buy 8.

As soon as I bring them home, I soak the lemons in a solution of white vinegar and water to minimize any molding or rotting. Often, a bag of lemons with one slightly moldy lemon becomes a whole bag of rotten lemons overnight if you don’t do this. And you don’t have to stop at lemons; this is a great way to wash all fruits and vegetables.

Before you juice them, soak the lemons in warm water or microwave them for 10 seconds.

The heat relaxes the juice pouches and makes it easier to extract the most juice from each lemon. Then, before you cut them in half, roll the lemons on the counter with your palm, exerting some pressure. This also helps get the juices flowing.

Once the juice is strained of excess pulp and

ROCKING CHAIR LEMONADE For a rustic presentation, serve in mismatched canning jars. Then just sit back in an old rocking chair on the porch and let summer begin! If you are concerned that the lemonade will be too sweet, start with 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup of the sugar syrup, then taste before adding more.

Start to finish: 30 minutes (10 minutes active) Servings: 6 1 cup warm tap water 3 cups cold water 1 cup sugar 1 lemon, thinly sliced 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6 lemons) Fresh mint leaves (optional) In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stir together the warm water and sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes, then set aside off the heat to cool.

Once the syrup is cool, pour it into a 2-quart pitcher. Add the lemon juice and cold water, then stir well. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint. Serve over ice.

• STRAWBERRY LEMONADE: Puree 2 cups of cleaned and hulled fresh strawberries in a juicer or blender. If using a blender, press the puree through a mesh strainer to remove any large pieces of pulp. Add the strawberry puree to the lemonade recipe above, but reduce the cold water to 2 cups.

• LEMON DROP COCKTAIL: From the recipe above, mix the lemon juice and simple syrup with 2 cups of cold water. Add 1 cup of lemon-flavored or other vodka and 1/3 cup of orange liqueur. Mix well. Frost the glasses with a sugar rim and pour over crushed ice. Add a slice of lemon for garnish. seeds, and the simple syrup is cooled, you are ready to mix your lemonade.

This can be done up to 2 days in advance. Also, be careful not to add too much water. The lemonade should be slightly concentrated because the ice in the glass will dilute it a bit. For that reason, I never add the ice to the pitcher, only to the glasses.

Experiment with making this same basic recipe with limes, Meyer lemons and oranges, scaling back on the simple syrup based on the sweetness of the fruit. And once you master the base recipe, you are ready to try variations. My favorite is strawberry lemonade, but don’t stop there. Try

any summer berry, honeydew melon, peaches and summer herbs. I use the rule of thumb that 2 cups of ripe fruit should yield more or less a cup of juice once it is strained. I use my juicer, but you can use a blender and a fine mesh strainer just as easily.

You also can freeze this fruit juice into ice cubes and serve the lemonade over fruit ice. The flavor variation will be more delicate, but it is pretty and you will get more and more fruit flavor as the ice melts. If I make the lemonade in a pitcher or a large mason jar, I float thin slices of lemon or berries in it for a refreshing and pretty summertime look.