The Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recognized Emma Kate Kea of Seven Oaks Elementary School as the first girl to join Cub Scouting in the Midlands. The recognition was made during a Lexington-Richland School District Five Board of Education meeting April 16, where the Scouts also recognized retiring school superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner for his service to […]
Transitions places its 2,000th resident into permanent housing
On the cusp of its seventh anniversary, Transitions Homeless Center has reached an impressive milestone—placing its 2,000th resident into permanent housing. That resident, Annie, is now housed with the help of the Mental Illness Recovery Center and has obtained employment that will allow her to continue to live independently. “I am very proud of Miss Annie,” said her case manager, […]
Senior Lawyers Division of the SC Bar tour Vietnam
On February 20, 2018, travelers with the Senior Lawyers Division of the South Carolina Bar and their companions flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). For some, it was a return to a place they had been stationed with the U.S. Army or Marines more than 50 years ago. The group found thundering motor bikes, six or seven abreast, that […]
Neighborhood change agent takes on many roles
Very few people have been as active in helping Columbia–area neighborhoods than current Columbia Council of Neighborhoods and Brandon Acres/Cedar Terrace (BACT)Neighborhood Association president Tige Watts. Since 2003, Watts has been involved with numerous organizations. It all began when Watts attended his first BACT meeting in September of 2003 and was elected as president of the organization. Upon his election, […]
The evolution of a landmark property
This article is part of an ongoing series in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Hampton-Preston Mansion’s construction. Like most older buildings, the Hampton- Preston Mansion has evolved over time. Today, it stands as an amalgamation of changes, some large, some small, all interesting in their own right. Each change offers clues about the people who designed, built, and […]
Marching band is not physical education
A bill, currently before the legislature, would allow high school students who are members of a marching band to receive credit for physical education. Before the bill is passed, I wish to address significant differences between these programs. 1) Physical education is required for graduation, and marching band is not. 2) Though marching band may be a form of physical […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres Trenholm Road: A woman went to police headquarters at 1 p.m. Wednesday after she said she had discovered a “male acquaintance” had stolen her debit card. The 39-year-old woman told officers she had been entertaining a man she “knew” at her home the previous evening. She said for some reason, after he left, she got “a bad feeling.” […]
Where have all the people gone?
ASK US AT THE STARWhen I watch TV accounts of a neighborhood incident, people interviewed often say, “I don’t really know them, but they seemed like nice people.” What effect does this kind of social isolation have on people? Fortunately, Columbia is still considered an overgrown small town by many, so we don’t have the strangers in our midst a huge metropolis like Chicago […]
Real Super Women
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationI had a high school friend named Bubba. Of course, if you lived in the South for any length of time, you also had a friend named Bubba. Mine became a sheet rock installer after graduation. One night back in the early 70s, over burgers and beer, he claimed there wasn’t a woman alive who could hang sheet rock as […]
Understanding unruly umbrellas
I’m just saying...If you read last week’s column, you know my husband Marty and I have been disagreeing upon the correct time to reinstate our deck/pool umbrellas after a wind or rain storm. It’s been crazy weather in our town for the last couple of weeks…the mornings can be cold and damp, but by noon you want to bury your sweater and […]
