Golf tourney will benefit LeNoir Store BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214
75 CENTS
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 3 SECTIONS, 22 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 190
Students in Sumter High School’s Hands on History class have been spending the semester completely immersed in the history of Sumter. The class gets students directly in touch with the Sumter County Museum’s Carolina Backcountry, where they recreate
history, dressed in clothing appropriate for the early 19th century and learn about and experience life in Sumter in earlier years. It was through this class that senior Matthew Gentry was inspired to gather his fellow classmates to organize the upcoming fundraiser golf tournament to benefit the LeNoir Store in Horatio, which is a business that
has been around for almost 200 years. “It’s the oldest continuous business in South Carolina and has been in the family for many years,” said John Shipman, history teacher at SHS. Shipman said he has been the instructor for Hands on History for a few years now, and he often takes his students to Horatio to see the store
for themselves and make purchases from the general store. The store, owned and operated by the LeNoir family since it opened, is in danger of closing. As rural post offices recently closed across the country, the LeNoir store was also hit by this change in the economy. The onsite postmaster
SEE LeNOIR, PAGE A6
MEMORIAL DAY 2014
‘They did not die in vain’
P-15’s are back Sumter, Manning-Santee set for Legion opener B1 SECOND FRONT
Local free clinic awarded $54,000 A2 THE CLARENDON SUN
Truck driver receives national recognition C1 DEATHS, B6 and B7 Joan Pollock Gibbs Thomas Dukes Sr. Esther James Nola B. Jenkins Isaac Johnson Eartha Davis
James Snyder Sr. James O. Mayberry Delphine A. Hilborn Levern Scotts James Carter Alfred Wheeler
Americans killed in combat remembered
Kenneth F. Duffy acknowledges the applause of the crowd at Monday’s Memorial Day event at Mabry Park. At the age of 92, Duffy was one of the oldest veterans attending the event in honor of the nation’s war dead. Duffy himself was captured and served time as a prisoner of war in World War II.
BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272
T
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Dominik Gholamireents checks a headstone for markings that would indicate it belongs to a veteran. During Memorial Day weekend, Boy Scouts placed American flags on veterans’ graves. See more photos from Memorial Day events on page A3.
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hey came both in uniform and out, combat veterans, families of veterans and those who simply wanted to pay their respects. They included those old enough to remember the wars of the past and those young enough to hope to never see one in the future. They filled every available parking space near Mabry Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, sitting beneath a flurry of flags as they honored those who were not present, those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. The crowd for the remembrance ceremony, including both veterans and active-duty military, know Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to recognize the contribution of those who fought and died for their country. To much of the rest of the country, Memorial Day is a day off work, a chance to barbecue or head to the beach.
BRISTOW MARCHANT / THE SUMTER ITEM
“But they forget why,” said Bush Hanson with the Sumter County Veterans Association. “It’s because of the sacrifice made by these men and women ... including those still serving in Afghanistan, where 2,500 Americans have died.” Speakers at Monday’s memorial emphasized the grave numbers of Americans killed in combat since the first Memorial Day was held in the aftermath of the Civil War. Those who died far from American shores were represented by a small replica version of Flanders Field,
the famed graveyard of World War I dead in Belgium. “This is one of many cemeteries throughout Europe and the Pacific,” Hanson said, “where they gave their lives not only for our freedom, but to liberate the countries and islands where they lie.” William “Dutch” Holland, the retired major general and guest speaker for the event, said the past holds lessons for the future, drawing parallels between military
SEE MEMORIAL DAY, PAGE A6
Sumter Item, United Ministries launch ‘Summer of Caring’ BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 Your local newspaper is starting up a new way to help the community. Modeled after The Sumter Item’s Fireside Fund — a partnership between the publication and The Salvation Army started in 1969 to raise money for heating needs — the “Summer of Caring” is a partnership between The Sumter Item and United Ministries of Sumter County. “The Sumter Item has always tried to do its part in moving the community forward since we began in 1894. By launching the ‘Summer of Caring’ initiative along with Mark Champagne and United Ministries, I believe more good can be done this summer than ever before in regards to helping those most in need,” said editor and publisher Jack Osteen. “If the Salvation Army Fireside Fund is any indi-
donations go down, until about October or November,” said Mark Champagne, executive director of United Ministries. The home repair ministry will kick off in June, and the list currently includes 12 houses. “The time for this is just aweCHAMPAGNE some for that,” Champagne said. “We’ll be putcation of how giving Sumter ting new roofs on most of them.” area residents can be, I believe Other work this category covthe ‘Summer of Caring’ initiaers includes adding wheelchair tive will impact many, many ramps, repairing floors and genlives for the better during the erally making homes safe, dry, upcoming months.” secure and accessible, he said. The office will collect money Projected costs are as follows: and turn it over to United Min• $550 — average cost of istries for three areas — Home wheelchair ramp; Repair and Wheelchair Minis• $3,500 — average cost for try, formerly known as SAM; summer restore home repair; Crisis Relief Ministry and the • $150 — per house for roofHomeless Shelter, formerly ing felt; called Samaritan House. • $1,000 — roof shingles; and “This community is really big • $100 — portable toilet. on helping each other, (but) sumThe crisis relief assists people mer is typically when we watch
year round with eviction and disconnect notices. They also provide food, furniture and appliances to survivors of domestic violence or families following a fire. Assistance requires a budget review interview, Champagne said. Based on averages between January to March this year, those numbers tend to look like: • $140 — per client electric utility; • $100 — per client water utility; and • $320 — per client rent assistance. Similarly, the homeless shelter is open 365 days a year from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. with a capacity for 20 men and eight women. They do not take pets or children, Champagne said. “The Samaritan house always comes up short,” he said. “This could be a huge help.” Between January and March this year, United Ministries provided 2,078 beds. Based on those numbers, costs average:
WANT TO HELP? Fill out the Summer of Caring donation form on page A8. • $67 — cost for a bed for one week; • $285 — cost for 30 days; and • $6,545 average cost per month. Individuals who need assistance can call (803) 775-0757 between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday to set up an appointment. Financial donations may be mailed to: The Sumter Item P.O. Box 1677 Sumter SC 29151 Contributions may also be dropped off at the office, 20 N. Magnolia St. If donating in someone’s name, identify the individual clearly and with the correct spelling of his or her name. Groups and acronyms should be spelled out.