Tag: Grace Tarrant

The Wateree Home Owners Association (WHOA) held their annual membership meeting July 14 at the Lake Wateree Baptist Church on River Road in Ridgeway. Prior to the meeting, a breakfast of assorted biscuits of sausage and bacon with jelly, coffee and juice was served. A blessing of the food was given by outgoing WHOA chairman Jerry Nealy, followed by a call to order and welcome to the membership and guests. Barbara Davis, the association’s long-time treasurer, gave a financial report and the results of an internal audit were submitted by Rick Noble. A new C.O.P. officer was introduced to the lake residents and he announced the next crime watch meeting is to be held Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Nealy introduced the new WHOA board members for 2012-2013. They are: chairman, Becky McSwain; first vice chairman, Milt Marley; second vice chairman, Michael Davis; secretary, Leslie Thorsvold (not in attendance) and treasurer Barbara Davis. Road representatives for the coming year are as follows: Carol Hefner for Wateree Estates/Dutchman Lane with alternate Richard Druggers; Jim McHone for Dovewood/Pinehurst with alternate Rick Noble; Sonny Hudson for Wateree Creek Valley/Woodside/Wateree Keys, alternate Ken Lawson; Bill Iskrzak for Molly Creek with alternate Jama Waters. There is presently no road representative for Rockbridge but alternate is Marge Whitney. Leonard Mushkin is representative for Rocky Point/Kingfisher but there is no alternate. Westshore rep is Chuck Stogner, no alternate. Deer Run rep George Jeandheur, alternate Brenda Worthington. Rolling Hills rep Milt Marley, alternate Pete Dodd. Plantation Pointe rep is Jerry Lester, alternate Frank Twiford. Shangri-La/Timberlane representative is Ned Gwin, with no alternate and Great North/Valley Drive/Inlet rep is Ron Hoadley with Jerry Nealy as alternate. If your road has no representative or alternate and you would like to help, please contact Rebecca McSwain.

Rick Noble, past chairman of the Catawba Riverkeepers, introduced the new riverkeeper Sam Perkins. Perkins is a UNC graduate from Chapel Hill, N.C. with a Masters in Science. McSwain introduced the cove keepers and introduced Mark Oakley from Duke Energy.

Oakley gave a report on the re-licensing that is required by the federal government, keeping up with any new laws, the clean water act, the Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement, biological opinions that are being studied and announced the new license for early 2013. He answered questions from the audience concerning low water during drought, modifying the spillway, concerns over the 100-year-old dam’s condition and a bladder dam. When construction of the bladder dam would start is undetermined right now or whether it will be in summer or winter months. The summer months have less runoff and would be a better time for employee safety.

Mr. Craig Keese discussed a safety program that is close to him, following a family tragedy, and suggested it be implemented by the people of WHOA. It is already in use at several lakes and involves having life jackets of all sizes available at boat landings for those who have none, with instructions for how to wear them properly. He represented water safety, storm and PFD information shelter. He stressed the importance of educating people about the necessity of wearing life jackets and the dangers of hyperthermia, quoting statistics on the number of drownings for children under 4 in both lakes and swimming pools and six senseless accidents of 23- to 32-year olds recently due to not having life jackets on. Anyone interested in getting this program started at Lake Wateree should contact their road representative. A WHOA member talked about the danger of electrocution from swimming in the water near docks with electricity on them. There have been several reported deaths. This is a great concern and needs to be addressed.

Milt Marley introduced chairman Dick Foote who gave a waterwatch update, and Dan Tufford who has a Ph.D. from USC. They explained how the waterwatch program works and the need for volunteers to go out in the boats to collect water samples. This program started in 1998 with thanks to volunteers and financial support. A slide presentation and summary of the 2011 tests were shown and an explanation of the importance of eutrophies, nutrients and algae and their relationship to the lake. There are currently 21 waterwatch volunteers but more are needed. Please contact Dick Foote and volunteer.

Richard Dorony, firefighter from the Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department, spoke on the new substation and its benefits to the lake residents and thanked the WHOA organization for its financial support. There is a need for additional funds for such things, as a well as for a septic tank and restroom for the firefighters and more volunteer firefighters are needed. McSwain then asked for questions from the audience. One important topic was the need for dump stations for large boats at the docks. There was great concern about where the waste was being dumped.

It was a very informative meeting attended by more than 100 people.

McSwain is only the second female WHOA chair since its beginning. Linda Burnham was the first one, serving two terms from 1994 to 1996. McSwain has worked on many committees and been involved in so much of the lake activities over the years and is so knowledgeable that we are all looking forward to a productive year. Congratulations to Becky and the new WHOA board.

All around Lake Wateree, residents, family and friends could be seen gathered together to celebrate our country’s Independence Day. Family members were swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing and jet skiing. The area was permeated with the wonderful odor of steaks on the grill, hamburgers and hotdogs. But not everyone wanted to spend the time cooking and those folks knew they could depend on the Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department for exceptional barbecue. It is a busy time for the firefighters as the equipment and trucks must be moved from the bay, cleaning to be done and tables set up. The tables were decorated with white paper with a large flag hanging across the front, giving a patriotic flair to the firehouse.

The line began to form as early as 10 a.m. Early sales of Smithfield Boston butts and bulk barbecue started at 9:30. Many had telephoned to reserve the $30 butts in the week prior to July 4 knowing how quickly they sell out each year. The firefighters and volunteers in a period of just three hours had sold out the butts, barbecue and rice. The barbecue plates, in addition to the meat, consisted of rice with hash, coleslaw, pickle spear, bun and iced tea. The ever popular sandwich plate was also available. Hash and barbecue was sold in bulk. Once again the DCVFD was able to keep most of the prices down so they are affordable to all. Only the hash had a slight rise in price this year. By morning’s end 204 pounds of barbecue had been sold. This is equivalent to 34 butts. The amount of hash sold was 104 quarts (or 26 gallons), 100 plates of barbecue, 26 sandwiches and 51 butts. Since they ran out so early this year, the DCVFD hopes to add 10 more butts to the grill next year and make more hash.

“This was the department’s most successful year so far,”’ said firefighter Bill McDonald.

This annual event is the firefighters’ only fund raiser of the year. It is not yet known where the day’s proceeds will be used. Where it is most needed will be determined at a later date. In the meantime, the proceeds go to an operating account to purchase items not provided by the County, according to Chief Ned Gwin.

The cookers of the barbecue this year were firefighters Jimmy Claxton, Jerry Martin, ‘Bug’ Jones and WHOA chairman Jerry Nealy. It is a joint effort on the part of all the men and women of the DCVFD. Not just the barbecue, but the rice, hash and tea as well. Jones recently returned from another ‘Builders for Christ’ trip last month in Mississippi, as he has previous years. Many of the volunteers serving the food are the same ones who volunteer each year. For those who had not yet purchased the reflective address sign, they were available for sale at the fire station also. These addresses are easily seen by the firefighters should they be called to your home in an emergency, when minutes count. A box for donations is always present and the people of Lake Wateree are very generous when it comes to those who protect their homes and property. This was the 27th year for the annual barbecue sale. The only year that was missed was during the time the three bridges were under construction.

It was a very hot day with temperatures in the high 90s, but the line of satisfied customers who return year after year reached out to the parking lot. Folks came by auto, truck, motorcycle and golf cart, coming from all areas of the lake, the State Park and from as far away as Great Falls and Columbia. The fireworks display that has given pleasure to the lake residents and guests for so many years took place later in the evening. The site for this was at Island Eight, just above Clear Water Cove Marina and could be seen from any part of the lower lake. An earlier fireworks display was held at Dutchman Creek on June 30 by Mike Taylor.

This barbecue sale requires the effort of many people, mostly firefighters, a number of volunteers, and required many hours to make it the success it is. It is good to see the people of Lake Wateree support the men and women of the DCVFD who risk their lives each and every time they attend a fire. They are ever ready to heed the call. With the new substation now open, the firefighters are spread a little thin and more volunteers are needed. If you feel this is something you could do, please contact Chief Ned Gwin at the fire station at 803-482-2636.

As many of you who have attended a party at the Lake Wateree home of Rick and Lynne Noble can attest to, the event is always an affair to remember. For many years the Nobles have held a Flag Day party or a July 4th party with the yard decorated with flags of every nation, but this year’s celebration was a combination of many. The Nobles referred to this year’s party as a ‘welcome Lynne home from Mongolia day, Flag Day, Independence Day and welcome visitors from Mongolia to the United States day.’

Noble has been kept very busy since her return from Mongolia for the second time. As a Fulbright scholar and professor of Early Childhood Education at Columbia College, she spoke of her recent travels to Mongolia at a Mongolian visitor’s luncheon last week at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia. Lynne’s work there consisted of teaching educators and teacher candidates. She has also been instrumental in fund raisers for additional Gers for the people of Magnolia.

For those of you who do not know, a Ger is a building that is stocked with children’s books, magazines and games, as well as running activity, homework and reading sessions. The book Gers provide children with a place for reading in their spare time which encourages their interest in books, improving their reading skills. Some of the students take books to children who have physical impairments, unable to get to the Ger themselves. This has been a favorite project of both Lynne and Rick for some time. With help from friends and family, colleagues and their church family, they have been able to provide for one Ger and are in hopes of providing for another.

During her time away Lynne had the opportunity to ride a camel, visit Darkhan (the second largest city in Mongolia) and went to inner Mongolia. Last year while there, she went to the Gobi Desert. Lynne knits, crochets and felts and is interested in learning yarn/felt art that exists in Ulaan Baator, Mongolia.

When she returned home this time, she invited and hosted four of her fellow educators from Mongolia for a visit to the United States. It gave them an opportunity to share with Americans their way of life and an insight into their culture. They were involved in observation and conversation with Columbia College faculty, visited varsity graduate classes and took several excursions. Lynne took them to the zoo where they had a special tour and up close association with elephants, penguins and the Galapagos tortoises. They also visited the art museum, Edventure, the Richland County library, Charlotte, Charleston and the World Affairs Council luncheon.

Mongolia, being land-locked, has lakes but no ocean. The visitors found great pleasure in putting their feet in the ocean while in Charleston. It was the first time in the United States for three of the visitors who range in ages from 30 to 50 years.

The ladies names are Odgerel, Amartuvshin, Enkhtsetseg and the male is Ganbold. The Mongolian women do not use last names as we do – their last names are their father’s first name. Odgerel visited the USA many years ago as part of a program. All four of Noble’s guests attended church service Sunday morning at the Lake Wateree Presbyterian Church, USA where they were warmly greeted.

Despite the 100-plus degree heat the day of the party, many turned out to meet and greet the guests. To cool off the party-goers, Rick made several trips out with the pontoon boat while some swam. Lynne cooked hotdogs and guests brought dishes to compliment them. There were many salads, roll-ups, chips and dips and desserts. The Mongolians remarked how much they love American food.

They arrived on June 21 and returned to their own country on July 5. They were friendly, charming people and interesting to talk to. I know Lynne and Rick showed them the same hospitality that they extended to Lynne during her two trips to their country, just as they did for Rick when he visited there last year.

The residents of Lake Wateree and surrounding areas must be very excited once again about the opening of the restaurant at Colonel Creek. The restaurant, located at 12143 River Road, is named Colonel’s Creek Grill. The adjoining market opened by Ken Boone and a business partner in May of 2005 is still going strong. The restaurant, on the other hand, has had several different proprietors. It first opened in May 2005, re-opened with new people in April 2009 and again in February of 2010. Let us hope that the new folks will stay for a long time.

They are not strangers to the restaurant business, having been in business for 34 years. Many of you know them already. They live at the lake and have catered for many events at the lake and parts of Fairfield County, the Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Wateree Home Owners Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation banquet at the Old Armory in Winnsboro, the Hunt Club and many individuals.

The new proprietors are David and Marcia Pressley. Their former restaurant, named Parklane Seafood once located on Parklane Road in Columbia, later moved to Leesburg Road. David was born in Monroe, N.C. and Marcia is from Horry County. Pressley went to work at a friend’s grill when he was just 11 years of age to make a little spending money. By the time he was 15 years old he was doing some of the cooking.

David was working at the beach doing summer work when Marcia caught his eye and they hit it off right away. The couple will celebrate their 40th anniversary in August. They have two daughters, one living in Seattle and the other in Columbia. They also have two grandsons.

David is an avid hunter, but not fishing so much. Being in the seafood business for so many years he said he sees his share of fish all day. Marcia enjoys spending any spare time she has being with or doing for the grandchildren. The couple had a great tragedy befall them six weeks ago when their lake home on Kingfisher Road burned down. The cabin adjoining the house was saved, but they lost everything else. They are currently living in a hotel in Columbia until their home can be rebuilt. On top of that terrible loss, David had a large deer jump in front of his vehicle on the night of June 22. Fortunately he was not injured, but as he said, “Sometimes I feel that there is a big black cloud hanging over my head.” But not so with the restaurant, from the comments I have heard from lake residents, friends and church family. The restaurant serves very good food at affordable prices and they still do a large catering business.

The new restaurant opened June 6 and has been received with much excitement. It is open Wednesday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. serving lunch and dinner, closing at 9:30 p.m. David and Marcia Presley are both warm and friendly people with the interest of the lake people at heart. They are happy to be at the lake and the folks in the area are happy to have them there.

The Lake Wateree, Ridgeway and surrounding area residents will certainly support the new restaurant. With its opening and the Windmill Restaurant that has been in operation for a long time and The Retreat, the area residents now have several choices for dining.

Welcome and good luck to Marcia and David Pressley and their Colonel’s Creek Grill and we hope that you are around for a very long time.

Some of you may not know that June 26 is National Beautician’s Day. It is not known just how this day came about, who suggested it or how it got national attention, but it seems like a good idea. It is not any sillier than some of the days that we have, celebratory days for certain foods, animals and people. This day gives us a chance to show our appreciation to those who help make us look beautiful and feel better about ourselves. This not only means the gal or guy who does your hair, but also includes manicurists, make-up artists, masseurs and those who wax eyebrows. For the men it is the one who does the haircut, often a manicure, trimming the bushy eyebrows and plucking nose and ear hairs.

Hair salons can be found in every town in our country and in countries all over the world. There are 1,300 Fantastic Sam’s alone, not counting all the privately owned salons. Many of the salons feature the ‘locks of love’ program where clients donate their hair to help hundreds of children and adults who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. This hair is made into custom-fitted hair prosthetics. A beautician’s training and talents transform the everyday you into the lovely woman you always knew was inside you. They make you glow and feel happy. Ask any woman and she will tell you ‘when your hair looks good, you feel good all over.’ Thus the term ‘having a bad hair day’ means your whole day is in the dumps.

There is a difference between a salon and a beauty shop. Beauty shop is an old-school term that refers to a ladies-only shop, whereas a salon is unisex and takes care of men and women. A barber shop is mostly a men’s shop, but there are master stylists in some of these shops, many of them women. I have been going to the same stylist/colorist for the past 18 years. Even when I lived at Lake Wateree I drove to her Blythewood salon every week, just as many of the Lake Wateree ladies still do. As she changed from one Blythewood location to another, I too made the change. When you find one you like and trust, who knows your hair and does it to satisfy you, why make a change? I like to feature a person-of-interest from time to time and have decided to feature this young woman this month in recognition of National Beautician’s Day.

Her name is Sandra Dee Christmus, wife to John and mother to three children. Christmus was born in Blythewood to parents Doug and Wanda Broom. Her mother is deceased. She is a twin to Cindy and the youngest born of a family of four girls and one boy. Her other sisters are Faye and Renee and her brother is named Dusty. Christmus attended Palmetto Baptist Academy in Columbia and graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville in 1989 where she was in the cosmetology program. She continued her work in this field at the J.C. Penney hair salon before going to work at Special Effects in Blythewood for 11 years. In December of 2000 she opened her own shop, Cuttin’ Loose. She has been working on hair for the past 23 years, specializing in coloring.

When she was just 5 years old, her parents picked up a little boy from another neighborhood to give him a ride to school each day. Little did they both know that they would one day become husband and wife. They began dating in 1987 and married at Palmetto Baptist Temple on June 24, 1989. John has been a firefighter in Columbia for the past 19 years. The couple’s three children are Haleigh, age 21; John Luke, 19; and Cullen, age 15. They are members of the Sandy Level Baptist Church where Sandra Dee sang in the choir for many years. Sandra Dee is an avid sports person who enjoys power walks, is proficient in racquetball and for the last eight years has been scuba diving, at least two dives a year in different parts of the world. Being compelled to attend continuing education classes for her license, she also attends additional classes to keep up with the latest techniques and newest and best products.

It is fair and fitting that you show your appreciation to your beautician on this day, if not with a small gift, at least a word of thanks. Thank you Sandra Dee Christmus and others in the field of beauty on this ‘National Beautician’s Day.’