The Watts Family 2017 Reunion was held at Sesquicentennial State Park last weekend. The event included a meet and greet, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, a cook out and banquet on Saturday. Decendants of the late Otis Watts and the late Hadiyah Muwwakkil (Ella Lou Willingham Watts) gathered to celebrate with family and friends. The surviving children are Nello Watts (MI), Bertha Warren (PA), Clara Perkins (PA), Ruby Karriem (SC), Maryam Shareef (SC), Quadir Muwwakkil (SC), Moses Watts (SC), Miniimah Shabazz (SC), and Shirdene Sabree (SC).
Tag: slider
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Durafiber closing hits town pocketbook; claims 220 jobs
WINNSBORO – Durafiber Technologies announced last week that it would close its plant in Winnsboro’s mill village if it can’t find a buyer for the plant by Sept. 11.The company said a total of 220 employees who work at the Fairfield plant will be affected by the closing. Another 580 employees in plant closings in Salisbury and Shelby, N.C. will be effected.
Looking at the financial effect the plant closing will have on the Town of Winnsboro utilities, Town Manager Don Wood said in the finance meeting Tuesday evening that, “the news is not good, but it’s not devastating. They’re still pursuing a buyer, but it’s highly unlikely,” Wood said.
“We’re looking at anywhere from $400,000 to $441,000 in lost revenue per year,” Tripp Peak, Director of Gas, Water and Sewer Utilities for the Town said during the meeting. “The gas is going to be the hardest hit at around $256,247. They’re about half our summertime load, so at this time of the year, half our gas revenue comes from Durafiber,” Peak said.
“They’re water consumption varies, but we’re looking at anywhere from $125,000 to $158,000 in lost revenue. They use very little sewer, around $26,000 a year,” he said.
But Wood and Peak said there were some possible solutions to the revenue loss, including selling off some of Winnsboro’s gas capacity which would generate $96,000 to $102,000 savings per year. Peak said the Town is locked into a capacity contract until the year 2015, but can sell surplus gas on the market.
The Town is also looking to expand its gas customer base by 300 customers which would generate about $360,000 in gas sales revenue and $58,000 in demand charge revenue. Peak said the Town has the gas rights to serve all of Fairfield County.
“We talk about lost revenue…I assume that’s not synonomous with profit, and my question is, we might lose that much revenue, but we also lose the cost of the gas and the water and electricity, so what is the bottom line of what it’s really going to cost us?” Mayor Roger Gaddy asked.
The Town’s Finance Director, Kathy Belton, said the loss would be about $250,000.
Durafiber said in a press release that it is taking steps to close the plants following a series of “initiatives to lower production costs in response to increased competition in the textile industry, as well as a thorough review of strategic alternatives, including potential asset sales.”
Headquartered in the Charlotte suburb of Huntersville, Durafiber has international operations in France, Germany, and Mexico which the company said would continue to operate as usual.
“While today’s announcement is a difficult one to make, increased labor, energy, transportation and raw material costs — in addition to continued market pressures — have strained Durafiber’s finances to a point that is no longer sustainable,” Durafiber’s CEO Frank Papa said in the press release.
“Our team will work diligently to ensure a smooth transition for our employees, customers and suppliers during the next 60 days, even as we continue to pursue strategic alternatives to keep these plants open.”
The Winnsboro plant, located at 199 Maple St., was acquired from Invista in March 2008. The plant produces industrial polyester tire fabric.
Built in 1898, the Winnsboro plant is located on 45 acres in the heart of the mill village, and has 473,000 square feet of manufacturing area.
DuraFiber is a global supplier of high-tenacity polyester fibers and fabrics, Nylon-6, engineered fabrics, sewing thread fibers and advanced materials for consumer and industrial applications, according to the press release.
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BHS student elected Governor of Palmetto Boy’s State
Blythewood High School student Will Galloway basked in the company of South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. Will Galloway, an incoming senior at Blythewood High School, has been selected as a senator for American Legion Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C. area, July 21-28.
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism. Galloway was previously elected as Governor of South Carolina Boys State, which had roughly 1,060 participants. Additionally, he was elected Mayor of his city and to the Senate. Galloway will be joined by Decker Paulmeier of Bluffton High School in representing South Carolina at Boys Nation.
At Blythewood, Galloway served as Junior Class President and President of the National English Honors Society. His activities include Chairman of South Carolina Teenage Republicans, Varsity Golf, Blythewood YoungLife Co-Chairman and South Carolina Patriot Voices. He was June 2016 South Carolina Republican of the Month and is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and National Social Studies Honor Society. A resident of Blythewood, Galloway hopes to attend Clemson University with plans to pursue law or political consulting as a profession.
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Diamond Rush named top female athlete
Diamond Rush, the 2017 State Newspaper Female Track Athlete of The Year stands atop the podium after claiming one of her two golds in May BLYTHEWOOD- Diamond Rush rushed her way to becoming a two-time state track and field champion, and for her efforts she has earned the title of The State newspaper’s Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year Honors. Rush locked down the State Title in the 100 and 200 and led the Westwood Girls to a fourth place overall finish in the 4A State Meet.
Rush plans on attending Charleston Southern to further her track and field career.
Rush’s brother and five time state-champion at River Bluff, D.J. Ledell made it a family affair when he was named the State Boy’s Track and Field Athlete of the year. He was also the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the year.
If that was not enough, Rush was named to the 2017 Midlands Girls Track and Field Team, along with her Westwood teammate Jasmine Brown. Brown claimed a State Title this year with a win in the long jump.
A pair of Lady Bengals were also named to the Midlands Track and Field Team. Keionna Ray, a bronze medal winning triple jumper and Junior Olympian Sharnae Alston made the cut for Blythewood.
Westwood senior Kaden Briggs earned a nod to the 2017 Midlands Boys Track and Field team, after a superb showing at the State Meet in May. Briggs notched three State Titles with wins in the 110-meter hurdles, the 400 hurdles and on the 4×100 relay team.Joining Briggs were fellow Westwood Redhawks, Christian Horn and Trini Feggett. Blythewood also secured three nominations to the team with Kenny Benton, Josh Bowers and Robert Braswell.
Benton won the 100 at the State Meet, Braswell finished first in the high jump and Josh Bowers collected gold in the 800. Despite the standout performances, Blythewood finished fourth overall at State.
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New Amphitheater Rocks
One of the biggest crowds Blythewood has hosted poured in to Doko Meadows Monday evening for Food, Music and Fireworks. A special treat for the crowd was the new Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union Amphitheater where revelers were entertained from 5 to 9:30 p.m. by Blues Deluxe and DB Bryant. The finale to the evening was a round of fireworks that lit up the night sky. -
FMH receives $450,000 grant
Mike Quinn, President of Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation (center), presents a check for $150,000 to Suzie Doscher, CEO of Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Behind them, from left, are: Patti Wilkes, Secretary/Treasurer, Fairfield Community Coordinating Council (FCCC); Karen Nichols, Executive Director, Upper Midlands Rural Health Network (UMRHN); Jennifer Glover-Hawkins, FMH Community Outreach Coordinator; Cheryl Goodwin, FCCC. Mike Quinn, Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation President, presented a check for $150,000 to Suzie Doscher, FMH CEO last week. The check is from a grant award from The Duke Endowment. It is the first of three annual installments for a total of $450,000, to encourage the community to work together to address chronic health issues such as unhealthy weight, diabetes and heart disease.
Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas is an initiative of The Duke Endowment in selected communities in South and North Carolina.
Fairfield Memorial will engage a coalition of leaders from a wide spectrum of community organizations to develop ways to engage people in the county to improve their health through lifestyle changes.
A project coordinator will be hired this summer to help develop a plan. The coordinator will work with leaders from many groups in the county to lead the health initiatives.
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Sipping the Summer away
Sex on the Beach? Not for me! I’ll stick with Cuddles by the Pool. Summertime is synonymous with relaxing, right? We lounge around the pool; go to the beach; gather around the backyard grill. Summer is prime time for girls’ getaways and mancations. With all the traveling, relaxing and partying going on, it seems natural to have a frosty glass of something cool and refreshing to sip.
A cool and refreshing summer drink need not be alcoholic to be delicious. After all, everyone is a non-drinker some of the time. Whether you’re the designated driver, on a diet or never imbibe, you can still enjoy delicious and gorgeous mocktails.
Infused waters are a wonderful way to stay deliciously hydrated this summer. Let’s start with my favorite.
Cucumber Mint Spa Water
Yield: 2 quarts
1 small, fresh cucumber, washed well, unpeeled
2 to 3 large sprigs of fresh mint
½ small lemon, sliced
2 quarts of water
Thinly slice the cucumber and add to a 2 quart container with a tight fitting lid. Tuck the washed mint sprigs and lemon slices. Add the water; cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
Stir and strain well. Transfer the water to a serving pitcher and serve over ice. Garnish with cucumber slices and mint sprigs if desired.
Will keep refrigerated and tightly covered for 2 days.
We have Cuba to thank for the mojito. It’s simple, containing only 5 ingredients and in my opinion may be the perfect cocktail. It’s easy to convert a traditional Mojito to a Nojito by eliminating the rum and adding a bit more club soda, but if you’re looking to expand your mojito horizons, give this Pineapple Nojita a try.
Pineapple Nojito
Yield: 1 serving
4-5 pieces of 1-2″ pineapple spears
4-5 fresh mint leaves
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
½ cup chilled white grape juice
½ cup chilled club soda (no sodium)
1 teaspoon agave nectar or simple syrup (optional, to adjust sweetness. I never add this)
Lime slices for garnish
Place the pineapple in a mixing bowl. Use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to muddle the pineapple until all the pineapple pieces have been broken up. Add the mint leaves and muddle again for a few seconds to bruise the leaves and release the flavor.
Transfer the muddled mixture to a tall, chilled serving glass. Add ice cubes, grape juice and lime juice; stir to combine. Top the mojito with the club soda.
Adjust the sweetness (if necessary) and garnish with the lime slices.
Who doesn’t like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain? But what we don’t like is the hangover associated with having a few too many. This non-alcoholic version of the classic Piña Colada is the love that you’ve looked for, so whip up a batch and escape.
Piña Colada Mocktail
Yield: 4-5 cups
2 cups of pineapple juice
½ cup cream of coconut (shake the can before opening)
Ice
Pour the pineapple juice and cream of coconut into your blender. Add ice until it is up to the liquid level. The liquid should just cover the ice. Blend until smooth.
For best results use GOYA brand Cream of Coconut.
Sex on the Beach is a simple, mild, fruity cocktail. It’s easy going and let’s face it, gives you plenty of opportunities to make ridiculous jokes. A little vodka, peach schnapps, and some orange and cranberry juice and all you need is a tiny umbrella.
For those times when Sex on the Beach is just not a good idea, why not try Cuddles by the Pool. It looks like the real thing, only much wiser.
Cuddles by the Pool
Yield: 1 drink
2 ounces of cranberry juice
2 ounces of grapefruit juice
2 ounces of peach nectar
2 ounces of chilled Sprite
Place the juices and nectar in a highball glass with ice. Stir to combine. Top with Sprite and an umbrella or slice of citrus. Pat yourself on the back for making good decisions.
In 2016, Nielsen announced that the Margarita is the most popular cocktail in America. Unfortunately, because it relies so heavily on tequila, it’s also the hardest cocktail to transform into a mocktail.
Spicy Cucumber Mockarita
Yield: 2 servings
3 ounces fresh lime juice
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
2 ounces fresh orange juice
1 Tablespoon agave nectar (optional to adjust for sweetness)
1 medium cucumber, unpeeled and sliced
1 small jalapeno, thinly sliced (seeds removed if desired)
Sweet Chili Rim Salt (recipe follows)
Garnishes: thinly sliced cucumber, lime wedges, jalapeno slices
Add the juices, agave and cucumber to a blender and process for about a 1 minute or until smooth and strain into a cocktail shaker. Add the jalapeno slices and muddle until the margarita has the desired level of heat. The longer the jalapeno sits in the cucumber mixture the spicier the mockarita will be. Remove the jalapeno if you desire a milder drink. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake until the mixture is chilled. Strain into a glass rimmed with Sweet Chili Rim Salt and garnish as desired.
To make a Spicy Cucumber Margarita:
Decrease the lime juice to 2 ounces
Omit the lemon juice
Decrease the orange juice to 1 ounce
Add 4 ounces of tequila
Add the juices and tequila to the blender and blend for 1 minute or until smooth. Proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Sweet Chili Lime Rim Salt
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
1 Tablespoon turbinado sugar
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with a tight fitting lid. Shake to combine.
To rim a glass: Run a lime wedge around the lip of a serving glass. Dip the rim of the glass in the salt mixture until the rim is coated.
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Woman arrested for cruelty to pig
Moments after this photo was taken, the pig was humanely euthanized. Veterinarian Robbie Chappell estimated the once 300 pound animal had lost about 175 pounds over one to two months from starvation and neglect. WINNSBORO – Lirhonda Butler, 41, was arrested March 27, 2017, and charged with ill treatment of animals, in general, overworking, first offense.
Acting on a tip from a citizen that Butler was abusing a hog in her care, Fairfield County Animal Control Director Bob Innes called for a Fairfield County Sheriff’s Deputy to meet him at Butler’s 133-acre property on Richtex Road between Highway 215 and the Broad River. They were also joined by Veterinarian Robbie Chappell.
According to the incident report, Innes found a severely malnourished hog lying on its side, unable to move, in deep mud and feces in the corner of a brick room of an outbuilding. The only door opening to the room had been boarded up with screws from the inside of the room so the hog could not get out. The only access was through an open window high above the ground.
Innes reported that there was no food in the room, but there was a barrel cut in half with “rusty water with algae present, very polluted.”
Innes reported that he could see through the window that the pig was not moving and had labored breathing. He stated that the pig could only make noices and appeared to be suffering and dying. Innes reported that the pig appeared not to have been cared for in a very long time.
The report stated that Butler told the deputy that she had owned the pig for four years, since it was nine weeks old The deputy reported that Butler initially said she fed the pig daily but that she found it in bad condition that morning and that it refused to eat.
Unable to enter the room through the boarded doorway, the deputy and Innes climbed through the window and walked on boards they laid across the mud floor to reach the pig who, Innes reported, was covered in feces and cold to the touch. He advised that the pig was very malnourished and that it could not have gotten in to that condition over the course of a few days.
Veterinarian Robbie Chappell assessed the pig, reporting , “I examined a severely malnourished hog. The body condition score was a 1 on a 1-5 scale. This indicates severe starvation. The hog was unable to rise, had severe white dysentery, subnormal body temperature and dehydration. This indicates prolonged starvation at least three to four weeks to two months.”
Chappell reported that the pig should have weighed 300 pounds but weighed about 120 pounds.
The report stated that Chappell said it was pure neglect and cruelty. He reported that the pig would probably not survive the night and, with Butler’s permission, humanely euthanized the pig with a rifle shot, the report stated.
The charge of ill treatment of animals, in general, overworking, first offense, Section 47-1-40 (A), is a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of less than $100.
A court date has not been set for Butler who was released on a $5,000 bond.
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AG+Art on tour this weekend
Clerk of Court of Fairfield County Judy Bonds and her husband Don, left, and Fairfield County Council woman Bertha Goins and her husband James and others at their table enjoy a dinner prepared by caterers George King and Norma Branham from local farm ingredients during the Ag + Art Farm-to-Table dinner held at Ruff Hall in downtown Winnsboro Tuesday evening. WINNSBORO- Last year it was ‘dinner in the street,’ on Tuesday evening it was dinner at Ruff Hall to kick off Fairfield County’s Ag + Art Tour which is part of the nation’s largest free self-guided farm tour that will be held this weekend, June 24-25.
Ingredients for the farm-to-table dinner were provided by the local Ag + Art farm sites, and entertainment was provided by The Time Pirates.
Ruff Hall is Winnsboro’s newest event center, located at 120 N. Congress Street in Winnsboro, across from Cornwallis Tea House.
The dinner on Tuesday evening was tbe the don’t-miss event of the summer in our County,” Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce president Terry Vickers said.
The tour will follow on Saturday and Sunday, with nine farms on the tour this year. Besides farm sights and animals, there will be eggs, garden produce and other farm products for sale. Artists and artisans will have their work on display and on sale. Most sites will have refreshments and food free or for sale.
Farms and locations include:
Painted Picket, Christie Buchanan, 1450 Newberry Road, Winnsboro (803-718-5303).
Magnolia Farm/Barclay School, Edith Bailey, 531 Longtown Road, Ridgeway (803-741-4145).
Triple J Farm, Jason Pope, 145 Cammack Road, Winnsboro (803-718-6176).
Rosewood Farm, Katie Langdale, Hwy 321 N., on left just past Old Airport Road, Winnsboro (803-718-8001).
REDS Farm, Randall and Stephanie Harrell, 187 Phoenix Drive, Ridgeway (803-741-6675).
Fairfield Farmers and Artisans Market, Ernest Manning, 100 Congress Street, Winnsboro.
Meadow Lou Farm, Valeria Clowney, 53 Meadow Lou Lane, Winnsboro (803-627-0489).
Gypsywind Farms, Brad and Dana Hoffman, 3005 Buckhead Road, Blair (803-369-1078).
Royale Blair Farms, Samantha Blair, 2592 Buckhead Road, Blair.
Tour hours on Saturday, June 24 will be 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. The Tour is free. Visitors will be provided a passport at the first stop that will list all locations. See AGrandARTtour.com for more information or call 635-4242.
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Blythewood’s Beckwith drafted by MLB’s Kansas City Royals
Andrew Beckwith on the mound against CWS foe Arizona. BLYTHEWOOD- One of Blythewood’s native sons has been drafted to the majors. Andrew Beckwith, a former Blythewood High School Bengal and College World Series Most Outstanding Player for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, was drafted in the 32 round of Major League Baseball’s June 14 draft, by the Kansas City Royals.
Beckwith had a season for the history books during the 2016 Coastal Carolina Championship run. In 2016, he finished the season 15-1, which set a single season Coastal Carolina wins record and tied the Big South record, to go along with a 1.85 ERA.
He made three starts in the College World Series as a junior, and he was one of only 12 players in CWS history to win three games in Omaha. Two of his three starts were complete games, including a 98-pitch complete game against top-seeded Florida. He also held opposing teams to an 0.76 ERA.
During his senior year, Beckwith finished up 8-2, with an 8-0 record in conference play, a 4.34 ERA and led the Chanticleers to a regular season conference title. Off the diamond, Beckwith made the Big South Presidential Honor Roll in 2014-15 and 2015-16, and was named to the Dean’s List in 2015.
Beckwith has won numerous awards over his Coastal Carolina career including the Gregg Olson Award, Big South’s Howard Bagwell Male Athlete of the Year, Big South Pitcher of the Year and was a HERO Sports All-American. He finished his college baseball career with the most ground outs in school history, fourth most appearances, fourth most wins, sixth most innings pitched and second fewest walks allowed per nine innings.
As a Bengal, Beckwith led the team to the 2013 4-A State Championship, but fell short to the Lexington Wildcats, and during his career he was named first-team All-State twice and set a school record with nine saves on his career. He also swam competitively and even won an Ultimate Frisbee State Championship.
