Category: News

Dr. Alvin McElveen is a neurologist in the Bradenton-Sarasota area in Florida. He recently joined the National Stroke Association ING NYC Marathon 2012 Team.

McElveen said not only did he look forward to experiencing the support of thousands of spectators as he rode 42 miles from Staten Island to Queens, through Brooklyn and the Bronx, finishing in Manhattan’s famous Central Park, but that he was doing it for a very important reason….to make a difference in the world of stroke by building awareness and raising funds to help those affected by stroke.

“It was a great feeling to participate in this Marathon,” he said. “Even at the end of the race, I felt that I could have gone five to 10 more miles!”

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and can strike at any moment and without warning. Nearly 795,000 Americans will experience a stroke in 2012. At least one in four (25-35 percent) of people who have a stroke each year will have another stroke within their lifetime.

McElveen is married to the former Carolyn Brown from Winnsboro. He is also a brother-in-law to Mary Lynn Kinley of Winnsboro and Dr. Jerry Brown of Batesburg-Leesville.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts has released the name of the individual who was struck and killed Wednesday night on I-20 westbound near the 72 mile marker around 11 p.m.

John W. Davis, 59, of Langford Road, Blythewood, was struck by multiple vehicles while in the roadway and died at the scene. A disabled vehicle belonging to the victim was located a half-mile away on the eastbound side of I-20, possibly explaining why he was in the roadway, Watts said. Watts said that an exam conducted Thursday showed that Davis died from injuries sustained in the collision.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating.

Emma Imholz, a rising sixth grader at Mueller Middle School, will be performing in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”  at Town Theater on July 13, 15, 19, 21, 25 and  28.

Emma has been singing, acting and performing since kindergarten. She played Jemima in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at Town Theater last fall and previously performed in Town’s production of “South Pacific.” She was also cast as Dorothy in “Wizard of OZ” and as Oompa Loompa in “Willie Wonka.”

Emma most recently competed with Workshop Theater’s Broadway Bound and is about to begin her third year year singing with The Greater Columbia Children’s Choir.

Emma enjoys writing songs and musicals and performing every chance that she gets. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is couble cast with the above dates being the ones that Emma will appear in.

All performances are at 7:30 p.m. except the thre Sunday performances (July 15, 22 and 29) which will be at 3 p.m. The performance is entertainiment for the family and ticket prices are: adults, $20; seniors over 65/active duty military/full-time college students, $17.

For more information, call 799-2510 (noon – 5:30 M-F) or email town@towntheater.com.

When Betty Moak, a longtime resident of the Blythewood community and crafter, was recently diagnosed with Bulbar ALS, a disease of the muscles that is frequently referred to as Lou Gherig’s disease, Betty didn’t slow down very much at all. Instead, she whipped out her crochet needles and got to work making one of her favorite crafts, her famous angel ornaments.

Crafting with renewed energy, she crocheted the angels for Midlands Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual Lock-Up Fundraiser in Columbia. The goal of the Fundraiser is to raise money for a cure for ALS, Muscular Dystrophy and related diseases by funding world wide research.

Betty attended the event along with family members to represent those diagnosed with ALS and help bring awareness and put a “face” to the disease by sharing her MDA story.

Betty began making her special angel ornaments over 20 years ago as part of her family’s love of crafting. She continues to hone her  angel-making skills and in 2010 won a Blue Ribbon at the S. C. State Fair for her lace angel. She is always adding new designs as special keepsakes for friends and family.

Betty’s angels have decorated many homes, nursing homes, bridal parties and special occasions.

Betty said that being diagnosed with ALS at 78 years of age was a surprise and presented a challenge, but that it did not dampen her crafting enthusiasm or her enjoyment of life.

Betty and her husband, Robert, and their daughters, Mamie Turner, Barbara Beckham and Nancy Grogan (and their families) all enjoy crafting and, last year, held a Christmas Open House and Craft Extravaganza in downtown Blythewood. Now Betty is adding MDA as a beneficiary of her talented crafts.

During the MDA Lock-Up, Betty’s angels were given as incentive gifts to those volunteers who raised $1,000 or more during the event.

As a special surprise, Betty’s family presented her with $1000 in donations from friends and family in her honor.  For those in the community who would like to donate to MDA in support and honor of Betty, contact the Columbia office at (803) 799-7435 or by e-mail: columbiasc@mdausa.org.

The Board of Trustees of Camp Discovery at His Acres proudly introduces Steve Reynolds as the new Executive Director of Camp Discovery. Reynolds will work closely with Camp Discovery founder, Donna Johnson, who will serve in the role of Program Director for the recreation therapy camp.

“Steve’s qualifications, talent and passion for our mission will move Camp Discovery forward in a big way,” said Lisa Kean, the organization’s Board Chairwoman. “His fresh perspective and creative ideas will have an immediate positive impact on our organization and enable Donna to focus more time and energy on the programming.”

A Camden resident, Reynolds brings a wealth of experience to the Camp Discovery program. He is the past owner and director of Camp Arrowhead, a 217-acre residential boy’s camp in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Prior to that, Reynolds spent more than 20 years in the banking industry, later moving into a fundraising position for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Winthrop University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the Citadel.

Camp Discovery at His Acres is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recreation therapy camp in Blythewood, offering a safe, accepting emotional environment where children can learn, heal and grow in a natural setting. Through specialized, goal-oriented activities, Camp Discovery provides children with tools to improve awareness of personal strengths, develop confidence in positive independent thinking skills, and a gain greater understanding for the needs of others. Established in 1985, Camp Discovery equips children with the necessary skills for building strong self-concepts and managing their lives.

“I am excited about the good we can accomplish and the changes we can make in the lives of children and adults by being part of Camp Discovery,” said Reynolds. “We will work diligently to find ways to serve more people, improve our program, and build on the foundation already laid by supporters, the board, and Donna over the years.”

The funding for the new Executive Director position was made possible through the generous support of the Nord Family Foundation.

Donations or inquires can be made to Camp Discovery at His Acres at 208 Claude Bundrick Road, Blythewood, S.C. 29016 or by visiting the website at www.campdiscoverysc.org.