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Category: Community

  • Blythewood’s Eisenreich wins Oscar

    BLYTHEWOOD – During the Academy Awards Sunday evening, Blythewood native Michelle Eisenreich, the visual effects producer for film company Double Negative, and her team won an Oscar for their work on the film, ‘First Man.’

    Eisenreich

    And that wasn’t her first Oscar. Her team also won one last year for ‘Blade Runner 2049.’  It was a success she couldn’t have dreamed of when she arrived in Los Angeles in 1999 with a brand new degree in film from Florida State University. She was looking for a job, any job she could get in the film industry, short of acting.

    “I was much too shy to act,” Eisenreich recalls.

    She took the first job she was offered – a production assistant at Hammerhead Productions, a small visual effects company where her first assignment was a key role in creating the visual effects for the movie X-Men.

    While Eisenreich said she’d never thought of herself as a visual effects person, she apparently was one. A good one.

    “I was always interested in both the creative side of filmmaking and the technical, so, by chance, visual effects turned out to be a really good fit to combine both,” she told The Voice in a phone interview from her home in Vancouver, earlier this week.

    The Oscar wins, Eisenreich said, are important to her both professionally and personally.

    “It’s a great honor, of course, but it’s also very fulfilling on a personal level. I’ve been in the industry for a very long time. It’s a difficult industry – a lot of long hours, a lot of sacrifices. There‘s not much personal time,” she said. “When you’re on a project, everything’s about the project. It’s a big commitment, so it’s nice to be recognized.”

    In her role as the visual effects producer, Eisenreich is responsible for the budget, the scheduling, putting the team together and being the main contact for the client whether it’s a studio or a director.”

    As a result of her success on ‘First Man,’ Eisenreich has been asked to pull together and oversee a new TV division for her company.

    “It’s exciting. Instead of one project at a time, I’m now involved in seven or eight different projects at one time,” she said. “We just finished work on Star Trek Discovery for CBS, which is in its second season, and we’re currently working on a couple of projects for Netflix and Amazon.”

    One of those projects is a six-part series titled ‘Catch 22,’ with George Clooney which will launch on Hulu early this summer.

    “For the next couple of years I think it’s going to be more television than features,” Eisenreich said. “It’s interesting times for sure. Everybody’s trying to get their own streaming systems going to try to catch up with Netflix and Amazon.”

    While Eisenreich’s work sometimes takes her on movie locations, she more often works in the studio near her home, which is fine with her.

    Now married with two children, son Cooper, 11, and  daughter Harper, 9, Eisenreich said she loves living in Vancouver where the seasons change and the view is great.

    “Our home backs up to the mountains and the ocean is about 20 minutes away. It’s nice here,” she said.

    But Eisenreich said she always loves coming home to visit family and friends. She is particularly looking forward to a trip to Blythewood to help judge the Doko Film festival, April 26 – 28.

    “I would have loved to be involved with something like this [film festival] when I was growing up,” she said.

    A reception will be held for Eisenreich on the opening night of the festival at Doko Manor. For more information about the festival, go to dokofilmfest.com.

  • Crickentree residents organize

    ‘Concerned Citizens’ hire an attorney

    BLYTHEWOOD – About 80 residents of Crickentree and several other area golf course communities attended a meeting at Doko Manor last week to come up with a plan for maintaining the Traditional Recreational Open Space (TROS) zoning for the 183 acres that was the former home of the Golf Club of South Carolina, also known as the Crickentree golf course.

    About 200 attended a previous meeting on Feb. 14 that was called by representatives of Texas investment firm ECapital to unveil a revised proposal for 249 homes on the golf course property, down from a proposal last fall of 480 homes. ECapital purchased the mortgage on the now foreclosed golf course property that shares borders with the Crickentree subdivision which has access off Kelly Mill Road. The golf course property is accessed off Langford Road.

    Bob McClure, a 29-year resident of Crickentree kicked off the meeting by referring to the ECapital group as land speculators, gamblers with no ties to our area.

    “Gamblers don’t always win,” McClure declared, and referenced the zoning issue as a “big problem.”   McClure emphasized the critical need to expand their group to include citizens of all area golf course communities who are ready to fight the rezoning from TROS to residential.

    Blythewood Mayor Michael Ross said that while the Crickentree property is under the jurisdiction of Richland County and not Blythewood, a residential development of that size would have a major impact on the residents of Blythewood due to infrastructure issues.  He cited the already proposed 601 homes in the Blythewood Farms subdivision adjacent to Town Hall as an example of the continuous growth.

    Blythewood Town Councilman Bryan Franklin suggested the County purchase the property and use it as a recreational hub for the regional community.  He laid out a plan to use approximately half of the property for sports fields to support football, soccer, lacrosse and other sports that are not currently being provided for by Richland County in the Blythewood area.

    “There’s tremendous potential for Blythewood to become a centrally located hub for state baseball/softball tournaments and travel leagues,” Franklin said. “There’s a potential for $10,000 – $14,000 in revenue for a single tournament weekend,” he said.  “It makes sense to use what is already there. Seniors like to walk. The current pathways could be used for walking, jogging and bicycle paths, even horseback riding areas.  The country club could be used as a senior center for activities.”

    Franklin suggested the remaining area of the property be maintained as a County 9-hole golf course where everyone could play.

    “If approved, the low density zoning request for 247 homes that E Capital representatives have said they are seeking, would actually allow the owner/developer of the property to place as many as 650 homes on the property based on current low density regulations and the acreage involved,” Crickentree resident Michael Koska said.

    “The promises and drawings presented by E Capital at our Feb. 7 meeting would not be legally enforceable, including the 150 ft. proposed buffer, retention of ponds or trees, placement and quantity of homes, etc.”

    Attorney Brian Boger, who was hired by some members of the ‘Concerned Residents of Crickentree’ neighborhood group to help maintain the TROS zoning, said he had met with ECapital’s attorney, Robert Fuller, and that Fuller had said ECapital intended to apply for a zoning change by Thursday, Feb. 28.

    Crickentree resident Russ Ste.Marie provided a power point presentation to outline what he felt could befall the Crickentree community if they did not fight the rezoning. He cautioned that the new rewrite of the Richland County Comprehensive Plan would combine TROS properties and numerous similar type properties into one designation.

    Boger cited a meeting of nine HOA Presidents from Richland County golf course communities who are addressing similar problems.  He suggested they join in the Crickentree battle.

    “This property cannot be rezoned without the Richland County Council members supporting it,” Boger said. “You all need to mount a campaign and email our concerns to everyone involved.  And we need to be at the Planning Committee public meeting and the County Council meeting in mass.  We need to develop a list of specific reasons to stay TROS.  We will only have 30 minutes to address each of these two groups. And the more people there to show their support, the better,” he said.

    Crickentree resident Tracie Cooper reiterated the need for residents to communicate with the County Council members.  “We are in this together,” she emphasized.  “Team Crickentree, and we have got to stick together.”

    For more information about the proposed rezoning, call 803-719-1242 or go to SaveGolfCourses.com

  • Blythewood Celebrates 3rd Annual Black History Event

    Dressed for the occasion, Sheila Butler, Maxine Goodwin, Alberta Lewis and Luvenia Gordon-Dukes arrived at the Blythewood Black History program ready to celebrate. | Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Community celebrated Black History Month with music, dance and refreshments on Saturday at The Manor.

    The afternoon of entertainment and remembrance included performances by members of the Blythewood Churches Community Choir, the Pine Grove Church Youth Choir and a dance team from Westwood High School.

    Jo Ann of Na J Fashions

    Jason Lloyd opened the program singing the National Anthem before Guest Speaker Dr. Joe Kelly was introduced. Viola Sanders entertained with an exhibit of inventions through the years by African-Americans.

    Church awards were presented to local church elders as well as the most senior church elder. Ms. Daisy Mae Belton, now in her 80’s, was honored as a member of the Community Choir since she was eight years old.

    A highlight of the program was the recitation of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by Ky-Brian Alexander of Blair in Fairfield County. It was followed by the Black National Anthem led by Alexander and Lloyd.

    Following the program, refreshments were served, and attendees were invited to sign their names to quilt pieces to be turned into a remembrance quilt.

  • County fire service calling for volunteers

    “It isn’t a crisis for Fairfield County…yet, but if the trend continues it will be,” said Jason Pope, the Director for Fire Services for Fairfield County.

    According to statistics cited by a Dec 6, 2018 info gram from the U.S. Fire Administration, 70% of the nation’s firefighters are volunteers.  Over half of the volunteers in the country are over 40 years old. And replacements are not keeping up with demand.

    Pope

    “There is a generational decline in volunteerism and the reasons are multi-faceted,” said Pope. “Fairfield County is a transient community with so many of our residents leaving our area for work every day that we have fewer people at home and available during the day.  Back in the mill town days supervisors would often let employees off from work to fight local fires.

    “Young people have lost a sense of community.  We typically have two-income households now with more debt and multiple jobs with less time available to volunteer.”

    Pope says the problem is compounded with the different kinds of fires that occur now.

    “Today’s homes are burning faster and hotter,” Pope explained. “In Fairfield County, the firefighters are like soldiers going into battle on the front lines. We were called out on over 1000 calls in 2018, and we have only 4 full time firefighters and around 120 active volunteers. Our volunteers are some of the most dedicated people you’ll fine.  It’s tough work, but also rewarding and exciting work.”

    It is also a big commitment of time for the training. Twenty or thirty years ago, the basic volunteer firefighter training was 40 hours.  Today volunteers have to undergo 140 hours of training.  And a basic fire Emergency Vehicle Driver Training class is necessary just to drive the fire vehicles.

    “The training at the State Fire Academy is free,” Pope said, “But it’s challenging. You do have to really want to do it,” Pope said.

    “While volunteers don’t get paid,” Pope said, “they do get a small stipend of $18 for every meeting/training session and fire call they make. But that’s certainly not pay.

    “Being a volunteer firefighter is about people wanting to help their neighbors. Wanting to give back to their community.  Wanting to be part of something good.  ‘Service Above Self’ is displayed on our logo patch,” Pope said with pride. “And that’s what it is.”

    At its current pace, the nation, like Fairfield County, is not keeping up with the need for volunteer firefighters.

    “If national trends hold true, counties and municipalities like ours will soon be having to hire 40 full time people,” said Pope.

    To find out more about becoming a volunteer, visit Fairfield County Fire Service on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter at Fairfield Co Fire or call Pope at 803-712-1070 or drop by the station at 315 S Congress St, Winnsboro.

  • Here’s how to make government work

    BLYTHEWOOD – Want to learn more about services that are available to residents who live in the unincorporated areas of Richland County and gain a better understanding of the roles of different County departments?

    You can start by attending a workshop called ‘Making Government Work for You,’ from 6 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Decker Center, Sheriff’s Annex, 2500 Decker Blvd.

    The session is part of Engage Richland, a series of events to encourage public input and to improve communication between the public and the county.

    To learn more, visit richlandcountysc.gov and click on the Engage Richland link.

  • Saved by the Blood

    RIDGEWAY – Shawna Moore, right, donates blood during the Ayden’s Turn Blood Donation Event on Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ridgeway. Assisting is American Red Cross technician Nicole Davis. Organizer Bobbi Qualls reported “a great turn out of donors who gave 23 pints of blood.” The event also included information about traffic and drug safety.

  • County honors native son Isaac Woodard, Jr.

    Fairfield County Councilwoman Bertha Goins reads a resolution from the County during a ceremony honoring Winnsboro native Sgt. Isaac Woodard. Behind her are Woodard’s nephew Robert Young (to Goins’ right) and his family. | Francine Goins

    BATESBURG-LEESVILLE – A commemoration and unveiling of a historical marker in Batesburg-Leesville on Saturday honored Winnsboro native Sergeant Isaac Woodard, a World War II veteran whose savage beating at the hands of a callous, intolerant sheriff helped inspire civil rights in America.

    Woodard

    Fairfield County Councilwoman Bertha Goins, addressing Woodard’s nephew and his family along with a large group of dignitaries from across the state, read a resolution from the County, recognizing Woodard as an American hero. She also recognized his inhumane treatment as a catalyst in this nation’s civil rights movement.

    In a letter read at the ceremony, Winnsboro Mayor Roger Gaddy wrote that he was honored to acknowledge the life of Woodard, recalling Woodard’s and his family’s years in Winnsboro.

    After recounting the events surrounding Woodard’s brutal beating, Gaddy said, “It is with great honor that we are proud to see this historical marker be placed in Batesburg-Leesville to honor and acknowledge his life and service.”

    A booklet at the commemoration titled the “Blinding of Isaac Woodard, Jr,” recounted the events that led up to Woodard’s blinding and to the eventual elevation of civil rights in the United States.

    Isaac Woodard, Jr. was born in Fairfield County, but grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 14, 1942, at Fort Jackson, and served in the Pacific as part of a labor battalion. Woodard received an Honorable Discharge at Camp Gordon, GA, in early February, 1946.

    Along with a contingent of other discharged soldiers, black and white, Woodard boarded a Greyhouse bus on Feb. 12 to travel back home to North Carolina.

    Isaac Woodard, Jr. with his mother

    A conflict was triggered when the bus driver belittled the Army veteran for asking if there would be enough time for a bathroom break during a scheduled bus stop. It is reported that Woodard argued back. At the next stop, Woodard was met by Chief of Police Linwood Shull of Batesburg who, along with his deputies, beat Woodard savagely with their nightsticks.

    Woodard was later charged with drunk and disorderly conduct before finally being taken to a veteran’s hospital in Columbia.

    The NAACP took up Woodard’s case in the spring of 1946, pressing military officials to provide assistance to the gravely injured veteran while also calling for legal action against Chief Shull.

    By September of that year, NAACP officials met with President Harry Truman who expressed outrage over this assault on a veteran. Shull was tried in federal court but released after the jury deliberated only 30 minutes.

    As news of the attack circulated in the national media, President Harry Truman created the first President’s Committee on Civil Rights (PCCR) which published, ‘To Secure These Rights’ in 1947.

    This groundbreaking report led to the desegregation of the military in 1948 and new federal attention to racial inequality as a matter of both domestic justice and out of concern for Cold War politics.

    For many Americans, Isaac Woodard became a sympathetic figure representing the larger conflicts of Jim Crow emerging after World War II. The public’s response to the vicious attack upon Woodard, as well as the response of President Harry Truman, signaled a major shift in public support for civil rights during the 1940’s.

    Isaac Woodard died on Sept., 1992 in the Bronx, New York where he lived with his nephew, Robert Young, and his family. But Woodard’s death was not the end of his legacy.

    On June 7, 2018, Robert M. Cook II, Municipal Court Judge for the Town of Batesburg-Leesville, issued an order re-opening the case against Woodard and subsequently dismissed all charges against him. The order was granted upon receiving a request from Town Attorney Christian Spradly and Chief of Police Wallace Oswald.

    The Town also moved to dismiss the charges against Woodard.

    “It was a beautiful, emotional, meaningful ceremony,” Goins said. “It did not undo the crime, the injustice or the injury, but it brought well-deserved honor to this man who, through his pain and suffering, made so much possible for the rest of us.

    “It was a privilege to be part of it,” Goins said.

  • Blythewood readies to celebrate black history

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Town’s annual Black History celebration is almost ready for its close-up on Feb. 23 at Doko Manor.

    The program includes guest speaker Dr. Joe Kelly, performances by singer-songwriter EboniRamm, dance, choral and dramatic performances and a special display of African-American accomplishments.

    Bobby Cunningham will emcee the event.

    This year’s celebration will also feature several displays by vendors in the foyer.

    In addition, the contributions of local churches to the Blythewood community will be recognized, and several presentations will be made to long-serving, senior members.

    How it all started

    In 1915, while attending a national celebration marking the 50th anniversary of emancipation, Carter G. Woodson realized that African American history and heritage were being lost. He began what became his life’s work – promoting the teaching of black history in the nation’s schools and communities. The first Black History Week took place in 1924, and President Gerald Ford declared the nation’s first Black History Month in 1975. It has been celebrated during February ever since.

    The event is free and refreshments will be provided at the close of the ceremony. Organizers include Margaret Kelly, Lyn King, Doris Coleman, EboniRamm, Vii Sanders, Larry Griffin and Malcolm Gordge.

    The event will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at Doko Manor.

  • Doko Manor wins Wedding Wire award

    Steve Hasterok, Director of Conference Center and Events, and Johnna Sutton, Assistant Manager of Doko Manor, display plaques designating The Manor as the winner of Wedding Wires Couple’s Choice award for the second year in a row. | Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – The staff of Doko Manor has won the Wedding Wire 2019 Couples’ Choice Award for the second year in a row, said Steve Hasterok, Director of the Conference Center and Events at Doko Manor.

    “Wedding Wire is probably the biggest wedding platform on Google,” Hasterok said. “When planning weddings, couples search the site for all things wedding – planners, venues, dresses, flowers, etc. They review the various vendors and locations. The venues with the best reviews win the award.”

    “Couples from New York, Washington, D.C., Alaska and other distant places find us on Wedding Wire. Many tell us they choose The Manor because we offer a beautiful facility with all the trimmings, and weddings here are usually much less expensive than in places like the northeast,” Hasterok said.

    To book a wedding or other event at The Manor, call 803-724-6038.

  • Cut and Bake

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon for Liza’s Cottage bakery last week. The bakery’s owner Liza Epps bakes the items she sells and is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The bakery is located at 104-1/2 N. Congress Street. Cutting the ribbon for the shop’s grand opening are Epps and Mayor Gaddy, center. Assisting are Susan Yenner (Chamber Administrative Assistant), Valarie Clowney, Wanda Carnes, Julie Tomsuden, Vanessa Reynolds, Gene Stephens (Chamber President), Epps, Imani Paulk, Gaddy, Crystal Paulk, Jane Boytner, Jayne Scarborough (Executive Director of Olde English District) and Anita Hicks.