News From Buster ::

I got this e-mail from Buster earlier today:

Been a tough week for our classmates.

Billy Sheorn and Pris McLoud have had medical setbacks.

Marcelle Bradley's Fortner husband has regressed due to his dementia---broke his hip and can not communicate.

Betty Jane McCallum Fort lost her husband to pancreatic cancer. He was a good guy and originally from Abbeville ( the birthplace of the Confederacy) and we would often talk Civil war history.

On a good note Julian Burns retired from the army as a 2 star, came back and was recently elected  Chairman of the Kershaw County Council.

I'm wishing the best for all of my former classmates, but I have to say that dementia just scares the crap out of me and the last thing I would want is to have to live like that. When my wife was in rehab after her accident I would visit her and see the stroke victims and it was heartbreaking to see the results!

First Play-off Game Will Be the Last ::

The Bulldog's season ended on another sour note last night in an away game at Belton Honea Path.

Belton Honea Path--28
Camden--9

There's always hope for next year, I guess.

Appeal Upheld, To Some Extent ::

Camden will be allowed to play in the post season against Belton Honea Path this coming Friday night. Dreher will also be allowed to play in the post season, but, as I understand it, the Dreher coach has suspended many of its players and has been fielding stand-ins from the JV team. Probably doesn't look good for them.
Given the way the Camden Bulldog season has been to date I probably wouldn't expect a win for them either, but I continue to wish them the best!

Final Game of the Season ::

The Bulldogs play an away game tonight with Chapin. I'll update when I get a score. Looks like the appeal of the fight at last weeks game was denied and there may be some criminal charges filed. This is a sad situation for all involved and something which is not easily overcome!


 Not a good end to the season:
Chapin--28
Camden--10

The Bulldogs Pull Out Another one ::

Camden--16 Richland Northeast--6

Punitive Results From Last Friday Night's Brawl:

I usually would never print an entire article from a publication, but here are the sanctions from last Friday nights brawl at the end of the Dreher/Camden football game:

Dreher and Camden high school football teams have been banned from competing in the 2014 playoffs as well as in any 2015 jamborees as a result of the postgame fight between the two schools this past Friday.
The South Carolina High School League also said on Thursday that each school will be fined an undisclosed amount and each school’s varsity football team will be placed on probation for one year.
SCHSL announced Wednesday that several athletes are suspended from this week’s game, and added on Thursday that some players have been suspended for for multiple games.
SCHSL officials said due to the severity of the incident which involved multiple altercations and possible criminal charges by law enforcement, the decision to place both schools on probation is in accordance to the South Carolina High School League’s Constitution and By-Laws.
“We extend a sincere thank you to each school’s administration and coaching staff for their full cooperation and their role in bringing closure to this matter. We also want to thank the athletes who chose to not get involved in the incident and by doing so, exemplified what it means to be a representative of their school and the South Carolina High School League,” Jerome Singleton, SCHSL Commissioner said.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/10/23/3764067_dreher-camden-banned-from-football.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

I was not there so I have no comment on the sanctions. The comments I found to be a bit curious so here is a link to The State article:

http://www.thestate.com/2014/10/23/3764067_dreher-camden-banned-from-football.html?rh=1

If anyone has any comments I would love to hear them here!

Another Good Night For The Bulldogs? ::

They took a win:
Camden--39
Dreher--30

I wish I could have been at Zemp Stadium for this one as it was also a celebration of the '64 state championship anniversary. Hard to believe that it has been 50 years!

The downside to the win last night is that there apparently was a big brawl with injuries. Details are sketchy this early on the morning after, but preliminary reports are that even coaches were throwing punches. I'll fill in more details as I have them.

(update)
Here's a statement from Dan Matthews, principal of Camden High:

Good Morning Camden High School Family. This is Dan Matthews, principal of Camden High School. I would like to take a moment to inform you about an incident which occurred last night at the end of the Camden-Dreher Football game. As many of you are already aware, as the players were shaking hands at the end of the game, a altercation broke out between some of the Dreher and Camden players. The coaching staffs of both schools and law enforcement intervened as quickly as they could to minimize the incident. This is not our way. It is unacceptable on every level and will be dealt with swiftly and justly. We do have a video of the incident and it will be shared with the SC High School League and has already been shared with law enforcement. Any person who took a swing with a fist or a helmet with be punished according to SCHSL rules, KCSD policy, and if need be, by law enforcement. We are cooperating with them in every way possible and they with us. As I said before, this is not the way CHS operates. It is our responsibility to bring pride and honor to our community. As rumors are of course rampant, I would ask that you reserve judgment until all the facts are clear. One fact however is clear, we will not tolerate this behavior. On Monday morning, we will begin again striving to be the best High School in SC by our work, our attitudes, and our actions. Work starts Monday. Thank you for your support and for all you do to help our children be successful. Have a great rest of the weekend.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out!

A Better Outcome For The Bulldogs ::

They won last night!

Camden--28
Lower Richland--20

Another Losing Night For The Bulldogs ::

This has certainly not been a good year so far:

A.C. Flora--29
Camden--13

The Camden High Bulldogs ::

I'm afraid that they came up short once again:

Lakewood--24
Camden--0

Not a very productive season so far!

Camden High Bulldogs ::

A week off did them good!
Camden High Bulldogs-14
Lancaster-0

Not as good as the '64 team, but a win none-the-less!

No Football This Week ::

It's a bye week so there is no score to pass on. Next week sees the Camden Bulldogs play Lancaster at Zemp Stadium.

Week 3 Friday Night Football ::

And the score was not kind to the dogs at all:

Camden--9
Hartsville--48

Friday Night Bulldog Football ::

Last night wasn't the night for the Bulldogs:

West Florence--41
Camden--27

Next up will be a home game with Hartsville.

Camden Bulldog Football ::

1st game of the season tonight with the Dogs playing Lugoff-Elgin and I just got a message from Johnny Deal that the team is up 24-14 at halftime. I'll update when I get a final score.

Final score Camden Bullsogs 35, Lugoff-Elgin 14. Thanks to Jeffrey Graham for the final score.

More Sad News ::

I got word from Buster that Mike Atkinson had passed away and Joe Stines is scheduled to officiate at the funeral tomorrow (August 21). I don't know any other details and I haven seen an obit. If it happens to be in The State tomorrow I'll post it.

I'm also derelict in reporting that another classmate, Henrietta Boone, has just recently passed away after what I understand to have been an extended bout with cancer. I tried to copy and past her obit, but, for some reason, it wouldn't paste.


My sympathies to both families and, once again, if I get further details I'll pass them on.

A Huge Gun Fail ::

I came across this on the web quoted in passing at The Washington Monthly today:

Capitol Police confiscated a 9mm Ruger handgun from the bag of Camden, S.C.,
resident Ronald William Prestage shortly after 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning at
the Cannon House Office Building. Prestage, 59, was arrested and charged with
carrying a pistol without a license, a District of Columbia offense that carries up
to five years in prison.
Records indicate he has a concealed carry permit in South Carolina. Prestage is a
veterinarian and farm operator, and is president-elect of the National Pork
Producers Council. He may have been on the Hill to lobby on agriculture issues.

Not a very smart thing to do at a House of Representatives building! Just a few days ago a staffer for a congressman pulled the same stunt while trying to carry his bosses gun into the building and appeared in court today in shackles and leg irons.

Some News About Joe Myers ::

I got this from Buster yesterday. Unfortunately there are few details about the situation with Joe, but Buster does touch on the upcoming 50th anniversary reunion set for next year:

Joe Stines e-mailed the news that Joe Myers had recently passed away. I think Joe had been living in Tx. He had his troubles but I heard he had turned his life around.
FYI the shared list is most of you old people who finished CHS in 65. If you have other addresses I will be glad to add them to this list. Some of the addresses who you might not recognize.
thurlo--Jackie Lyles
riab- Blair Holden
Safeone- Johnny Jaynes
zblakemey- Suzanne Steed
Sam Raynovic-  Sandra Cole
daydemmee-Lyndel Price
didixon-Dianna Elliott
dcadams- Delores Cole
mhyoung- Mary Holland
Toni Ann Rush--Bruce Rush

I had Otis Bowers, Sally Thomas, Benny Hall, and Sandra Hammond's but they are now floating around in outer space. Jerry Sheheen, Jim Ring and I would like  all of the addresses. Jim and Jerry are heading up what will soon be our 50th reunion-----should be a humdinger.  B.

I may have a couple more e-mail addresses to add. I'll have to go through my list.

Blair Holden Has An Accident ::

I got this short note from Buster sometime during the night hours:

Blair was riding his 'English' bike and had a blowout at 30mph He is in the trauma unit in Winston Salem w/ a broken shoulder, punctured lung, broken rib, and some other assorted injuries Should be ok over time. His cell # is 366 442 5804, but I haven't been able to reach him.
Some of you are getting a little old for this stuff.  B.

Here's wishing the best for Blair in his recovery.

Note: I just got an e-mail from Jim Ring. Apparently the above cell # is incorrect and the correct # is 336-442-5804.

Further update from Jim after speaking with Blair:

Spoke w/ Blair on the phone a few minutes ago ( his number is 336-442-5804).  All things considered he's doing well...could have and would have been much worse had he not been wearing a helmut.  He will likely be getting out of the hospital tomorrow.  We talked for 20-30 minutes and I think he was really pleased a high school classmate would call to check on him.  Buster, he's very grateful you are the "town crier" for our class and do the great job of keeping us all up to speed on each other. 

 

If you guys get a chance give Blair a call.  He'll really appreciate it, I'm sure.

 

Jimmy

Another Story From Buster ::

  There are those who have heard the eerie cry on Lake Wateree.
  In 1774 Benjamin and Molsie Perry moved from Virginia to Liberty Hill. They became successful  farmers and owned "Rich Hill" Plantation. As the war for American independence broke out they sided with the patriots who wanted to break away from Britain. As you recall from your history lessons, the most fierce fighting was between neighbors. The 'Bloody' Cunningham  force, which was mainly from Beaver Creek area, was one of the most feared and brutal Tory militia.
  Benjamin Perry had built a hideout on the far edge of his property and on a cool misty night in the spring of 1781 he dashed to his hideout ahead of Tory horsemen. The Tories came to the main house and demanded that Molsie tell them where Benjamin was hiding, which the young bride refused to do.
  The Tories dragged her outside, threw the screaming young bride on a horse and took her to the Wateree River. There they pushed her into the cool water and held her underwater. They continually plunged her head in the water trying to get her to divulge her husband's location.
  The sound of horses coming alerted  the Tories that a patriot militia was approaching so they hurriedly left the scene while leaving a cold and shaken  Molsie in the water.
  Miraculously she was not dead, but she might as well have been. The horrifying experience had robbed her of the power of speech and the lack of oxygen for the brain had left her mentally incapacitated. She lived only a short time and Benjamin buried her on a small hill above the river.
  In 1919 the Wateree Dam was completed and her grave site was covered by the water.
  In 1930 on a misty night a young hunter heard an eerie sound and looked back on the water to see some sort of figure rising from the mist and floating toward the bank. Suddenly there was a yowl and a hideous shriek fom the apparition. He dropped his gun and skedaddled. He returned the next day with two friends to find his weapon.
  In the 1950's a group of boy scouts from Lancaster camped near the same area and the group heard an eerie sound and the scoutmaster grabbed a hatchet and moved to the water's edge where he witnessed a figure of a woman whose face was one-half gone and a pulpy dark greenish area where her mouth should be.  The scoutmaster quickly loaded the scouts into the truck and took them home.
  The last known recorded sighting came in the 1970's when two teenagers who had heard the ghost tale witnessed the womanly figure in the mist. They too, quickly cranked their truck and vacated the area.
   So if you are on Lake Wateree on a cool misty night and you hear an eerie sound, now you will know the young bride who now is looking to return to a life which was evilly shortened. I would recommend that you not start singing "God Save the Queen."
  This story is a condensed version of an article written by William F. Starr and  published in  "The State"  in July, 1980.
  Thank you for your attention

Joe McNinch Obituary ::

Found it in The Greenville News this morning:

Harold Joseph McNinch Jr.

Simpsonville

Harold Joseph McNinch, Jr. passed away March 7, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Peggy McNinch.

A graveside celebration will be held at 2 pm Friday at Quaker Cemetery in Camden.

Memorials may be made to Durbin Creek Fire Dept. 3126 Knighten Chapel Rd., Ft. Inn, SC 29644.

Published in The Greenville News on Mar. 12, 2014

My thoughts will be with the family on 2pm, Friday!

Joe McNinch

I saw a Facebook post a few minutes ago that Joe had passed away Friday. I don't have a confirmation of this yet, but, if it's true, I'll try to find details and pass them on.

More Sad News ::

I just got a message and an e-mail from Johnny Jaynes with the news that Joe McNinch is on life support in Greenville after having suffered an aneurism.  That's all the news I have right now and I will pass on any further news I receive.

There are few medical problems that scare me more than an aneurism!

A Remembrance From Robin Hough ::

Passed on to me today from Buster:

Here's one thing I remember about our winning visit to New Orleans.  Apparently, every group had someone locally (in New Orleans) as a sponsor.  The gentleman who was our sponsor was very excited when we won the title of Greatest Band in Dixie.  He gave Mr. Basden a hundred dollar bill and told him to do something for us kids.  We had some free time, so he decided we could go see a movie.  The movie selected was "Charade" with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.  Here's where Mr. Basden's sense of humor comes into play.  Now, you have to remember that this was February, 1964, when a hundred dollars went a looong way!  As we approached the theater box office, Mr. Basden got all of us to hide around the corner just out of sight of the lady in the booth.  He walked up and announced he needed to purchase tickets to "Charade."  She, of course, replied "How many, sir?"  He said she almost fell off her stool when he answered "80, please."  I can see him laughing so hard right now!

Also, during the parade, we stopped in front of the mayor's reviewing stand for the trophy presentation.  I seem to remember that the mayor planted a wet one on Elizabeth Goodale, but you'll need to ask HER about that!

I guess most young people have someone they admire and look up to.  I certainly hope so.  I was lucky enough to have more than one adult like that, but Bill Basden was my hero.  He was more than my band director and tennis coach.  He was a mentor and life coach.  I played piano duets with his older daughter and played on the tennis team with his older son.  I was flattered when I was asked to play oboe at his daughter's wedding.  Decades later, when he was so ill, I played a solo recital in Houston, and I really was playing it with him in my heart.  Not too long after, I was back in Camden and went to see him in the hospital.  He looked up and said, "Well, Robin, I heard you were in town.  I was wondering when you were coming by."  I was able then to give him a recording of the recital.  His wife wrote me after his death to tell me how much he enjoyed listening to the recording many times and that he said how proud he was of me.  Boy, that got the tears flowing.  I was so glad I was able to have that last visit with him in the hospital and give him that recording.  I know I am only one of many whom he touched and influenced.  We were all lucky to have had him in our lives.

Robin

Good News About Chad Merrill ::

Passed on from Johnny Jaynes via Dan Stuber:

Chad had surgery two weeks ago and the dr. said that he removed all the cancer.  He would not need chemo but would have radiation treatment. He would not need a bag.  He is home now and back on solid foods.  He has lost over a 100lbs.  Prognosis looks good.

This is great news and I'm happy for Chad, his family, and all of his friends!

An Article From Buster ::

Pre Valentines Day and he presented it to me as a rough draft:

Here are some Valentine and anniversary stories of your friends and neighbors with a dash of local history.
  Hutch and Aileen Hutchinson were married after Hutch's WWII return where he had served as a sailor. Hutch had boxed while in the navy and  was nicknamed a ''ring tail tornado,''  and  also was a southpaw pitcher  while in the service and at Newberry College. The newlyweds took off for Niagara Falls for their honeymoon and on the second night of their trip they stopped in Forest City, N.C, where Hutch pitched and won a ballgame. The local fans were so appreciative that they 'passed the hat' to help pay for their honeymoon expenses.
  Hutch coached baseball at both Sumter and Camden High and he always said that the two players with the best hands he ever coached were Robert and Mackey Williams. Robert was Bobby Richardson who went on to star for the New York Yankees in the 50's and 60's.
  Bobby Richardson was the World Series MVP in 1960 and in 1963 set a record by only striking  out 13 times. In the opening game of the 1963 World Series the Yankees faced the Dodgers with Sandy Koufax at his prime on the mound. Richardson struck out on four pitches and as he was headed to the dugout he passed Mickey Mantle who was the next batter. Mantle said to Bobby, "why am I even bothering to go up there.'' Three pitches later Mantle did a u-turn.
  At the old Legion Field next to Zemp Stadium the local teams, Camden High, Post 17, and the textile teams played to packed houses. In the early 60's while Mackey Williams was playing third base there was always an attractive young lady fan in the stands. After high school Ann Graves and Mackey were married and have been married for 52 years.
  Ann's parents, Frank and Ethel Graves, were married on Dec. 7th, 1941 and they were together for over 60 years. Ethel Graves may be the most talented seamstress in Kershaw County.
  On the old  turn 2 at the Darlington race track the fans would be covered in bits and pieces of tar and rubber by the end of the race. On Labor Day 1963 a Western Carolina football player and a cheerleader sat on turn 2 and as Butch looked at Ellen who face was covered with race debris he asked her to marry him. She told him she would, but Butch had to ask her father for his permission. Ellen Williams father was a veteran of both the Battle of the Bulge and as a glider trooper who landed on D-Day. The Williams recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
  Les Addes was a student at the University of Georgia and had a 'hot' 396 Chevelle. He thought he would take his chick mobile on a cruise from his hometown in Easley over to the bright lights of Greenville and see if he could impress some of the local fillies. He ran into a young nursing student from Texas named Mary Lee and there was an impression made but it had nothing to do with a car.
 Lloyd and Doris Price wanted to get married but Doris was still in school. Doris's mother told Doris that if she got married before she finished school then she would have to return her class ring. They were married on the night of her high school graduation.
  Wayne Johnson was a high school football and baseball star. With a date at a party one night he met an attractive young lady named Jacque who was dating a friend of his. With all being fair in love and war he and Jacque soon became an item and several days after she graduated from high school they  married and have been together for over fifty-one years.
  Several years ago Wayne developed cancer and had to take chemotherapy. A nurse friend, Pam Jackson, told him to eat oatmeal and drink a flat coke after a treatment. He did and was able to play golf on the same days he had his chemo treatment.
  Tommy and Jan Shumate got married at age twenty and as  Tommy was in the army  they spent the first four years of their married life  at a base near Castle Germany. The uniqueness of this base was that there was an airport where the planes flew out of the side of a mountain. Locals Tommy Hecker and James DeBruhl were also stationed at this base and Julian Burns was assigned to a nearby  army base. Anyone in the service always is excited to bump into a homebody.
  Their German neighbors still practiced the procedure for air raids and one of their neighbors told how that during the war the adults would tape fruit and bread to the children's wrist in case they got separated.
  Toni Rush Faulkenberry is a resident of Lake Wateree. Her paternal grandparents, Henry Higgins and Iva Lee Hammond (aunt of former fire chief Carl Hammond) were married after WWI at a home in Heath Springs and boarded a train for a honeymoon in Great Falls.
  In 1923 the Higgins bought an old Grange Hall in Liberty Hill and converted this hall into their home. The Grange Association had been one of the most powerful political movements in the U.S. from the 1880's. William Jennings Bryan was the most visible leader of this agrarian based association.
  Many Grange Halls and Lodges can be found in our rural areas and many of them became community centers. Some of the old churches, even those with separate entrances for men and women, were the site of Grange meetings.
  One of my great uncles left for California in the 1930's and upon his return in the 1970's he was asked what is different today from when he departed. His answer was that everything in the old days was based on agriculture and that you could drive from Camden to Lancaster and not see a tree.
  Thank you for your attention.