1st Football Game Of The Season ::

And the season got off to a bad start:

Spring Valley-20
Camden Bulldogs-16

Kathryn Scheldt Performs ::

Last Shrimp Boat:

An Old Photograph ::

I had almost forgotten this photograph which I took on a trip to Camden in January, 2007:

Delores ::

Sent me this yesterday:

This cancer thing was such a shock, I think I was in denial......that this was happening to someone else. It was a rare, aggressive type of endometrial cancer that was found on a routine PAP smear as abnormal cells. Luckily I have a female gyn who doesn't have a "watch and wait" attitude about abnormal findings. She put me through an office biopsy (not enough tissue), ultrasound, which showed only mild thickening of the endometrium and then the D&C, which did, indeed, show the cancer. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, which showed only two polyp-type tumors that pathology read as serous cancer in the endometrium only. There was some questionable abnormality in the left ovary, but no confirmed cancer in it. Lymph nodes were removed and 28 out of 28 came back negative. They even sent my slides to Johns Hopkins for comfirmation. I really feel God blessed me. The chemo is being given as a prophylactic treatment since this cancer is aggressive and is known to present in other organs, ie, colon, stomach, lung, brain. So hopefully, all cancer will stay away for many, many more years. This came at the same time that our class had two deaths and more cancer, so I didn't want to add to the misery until I found out how I was going to do. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Del

So, the prognosis looks good and we're all happy for that! She followed up a bit later with this e-mail:

Can't seem to stay asleep. I slept during the chemo, then slept for about 4 hours when I got home. Then was able to fall asleep around 10am, but up at 1:00am. Finished one book and started another. Oh, well. Can sleep in tomorrow.................I think it would be OK now to post my message to you. Seems like all will be OK. I will be followed for about 10 years since I am in a study for this type of cancer with women all over the US, since there is no one reason for getting it. There is a syndrom that links colon cancer with different types of cancer, one being endometrial. This is some type of genetic trait. But since there has never been a known colon cancer in either side of my family, my oncologist didn't seem it warranted genetic testing. I can't praise the cancer doctors enough here at Case Western Medical Center (aka University Hospitals). It doesn't hurt having worked at UH for 29 years and knowing the right people and getting a little special attention. I will definitely keep you updated. I just did not want to put the specifics on Face Book, since everyone's friends have access to my status. I was keeping it pretty generalized. Messaging or email seem to be the better way to avoid testing the HIPPA law. Well, back to bed, perchance to sleep or even dream!

Everybody keep the positive thoughts flowing for Del!

Busted! ::

From this morning's State:

Authorities have arrested four people in Kershaw County after discovering three marijuana patches with a total of 114 plants during one of the county’s periodic helicopter flyovers, Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said today.

Arrested Thursday and charged with cultivation of marijuana were Richard Barnes, 54, of Cassatt, Linda Faneite, 55, and Bernard Faneite, 57, both of Elgin, and Johna Burnes, 50, of Camden. An arrest warrant was issued for 36-year-old Don Laux of Camden.

Matthews could not say why those charged were growing the plants but speculated “it might have been to make some extra change or for personal consumption.” Pot smoking paraphernalia was found at one of the addresses, he said.

I think I know one of these people although I've never known her last name. I'll have to check it out.

[update] Nope, wrong Johna. Not a common name and that's what kinda threw me for a loop. I'm glad it's not the Johna I know!

A Photograph Of Classmates ::

From left to right:
Billy Ammons, Carl Sturkie, Buster Beckham, Ray Robinson,
Richard Reed, Roger Williams, Bob Lynch

Vernon Griffeth Remembers DDay ::

Mr. Griffeth, Buster's father-in-law who just recently passed away, shares his experience of going ashore with the first wave on DDay:

Vernon Griffeth from South Carolinians in World War 2 on Vimeo.

I have a couple of acquaintances here in Huntsville with similar WWII stories that are fascinating. One was supposed to go ashore at Anzio, but wound up a bit further up the coast where it wasn't so dangerous. The other was one of the first people engaged in the battle at the Remagen Bridge. They both told harrowing stories, and we owe all of the WWII vets a debt of gratitude!

A Bit Of A Resume For Robin Zemp Hough ::

I'm not quite sure where I came across this, but I enjoy discovering what our classmates have been up to through all of these years!

Robin Z. Hough, as principal oboist of both the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera Orchestras, has performed in
productions in the United States and abroad. He also served several seasons as principal oboist with the Fort Worth
Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and performs throughout the southwest in the Tejas Duo (oboe and piano), in
recital, as orchestral soloist, and as a chamber music performer. Dr. Hough holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Oboe
and Music Education from East Carolina University, where he was a student of David Serrins. He studied with Charles
Veazey at the University of North Texas, earning from that institution Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts
degrees in Oboe Performance. Dr. Hough has also studied with Ray Still. He is an affiliate artist on the faculty of the
University of Houston School of Music.

The Old Camden High School ::

I guess that it's pretty much gone. Here is a web gallery courtesy of Johnny Deal.

I'm also putting the link to the gallery up on the right so that it will not drop off of the front page.

I snagged these photographs from Johnny facebook page so these are the highest resolution I have.

Vernon Griffeth ::

Vernon Griffeth


CAMDEN - Funeral services to celebrate the life of Vernon Ray Griffeth, 91, of Camden will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June, 14, 2011 at Lakeview Baptist Church with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Rev. Hugh McKinney will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday, June 13, 2011 from 7:00 â€' 8:30 PM at Kornegay Funeral Home Camden Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Griffeth's memory to Lakeview Baptist Church, 1520 Mill Street, Camden, SC 29020. Active pallbearers will be family members and a dear friend, Stanley Carraway.
Mr. Griffeth died Saturday, June 11, 2011. Born in Colbert, GA, he was the son of the late Jesse Ellis Griffeth and Susie Morris Griffeth. He was retired from Skyline Manufacturing. Mr. Griffeth was a United States Army World War II Veteran having served in the European Theatre. He was a Tech Sergeant with the 1st Division, 16th Infantry "The Big Red One". Mr. Griffeth fought in Northern Africa, Sicily, the initial landings at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church where he was former Deacon. Mr. Griffeth enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, watching baseball and he loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Margie Henson Griffeth; daughters, Kathryn G. Beckham and her husband Buster of Camden and Ruth Ann G. Welch and her husband Brian of Pass Christian, MS; grandchildren, Mary Kathryn Beckham West and her husband Maury, Marlee Beckham Marsh and her husband Graham, Perry Griffeth Beckham and his wife Gretchen and Emma Lee Welch; great grandchildren, Patrick Beckham West, Reese Cameron West, Averette Reeves Beckham and Graham McLean Marsh, Jr.; twin sister, Verdah Looper,of Charlotte, NC and brother, Ranford Griffeth and his wife Cathleen of Travelers Rest, SC and special caregiver, Judy Blakney.
He was predeceased by his brothers Austin, Trellis, Jake and Landis Griffeth and two sisters, Wilma Ebersole and Arnis Mills.
Mr. Griffeth's family would like to extend sincere appreciation for the professional and compassionate care given to him by the Staff of KershawHealth and the A. Sam Karesh Wing Rehab.
Kornegay Funeral Home Camden Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to Mr. Griffeth's family by visiting www.kornegayfuneral.com

Joyce Self Motley ::

From this morning's State newspaper:

Joyce Self Motley


ELGIN - Funeral services to celebrate the life of Joyce Self Motley, 64, of Elgin, will be held Friday, June 3, 2011 at 4:00 PM at Sawney's Creek Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel. Rev. Charles Miller and Rev. Evan Smith will officiate. Memorials may be made in Mrs. Motley's memory to Sawney's Creek Baptist Church, 14605 Highway 34, Ridgeway, SC 29130 or the American Cancer Society , c/o Gail Kirkland, 647 Lachicotte Road, Lugoff, SC 29078.
Mrs. Motley died Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Born in Camden, she was the daughter of the late, John Self and Inez Branham Self. She was a graduate of the Camden High School Class of 1965. Mrs. Motley was retired from SCE&G. She was a member of Sawney's Creek Baptist where she was a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Motley also taught a bible study at SCE&G and at Tanglewood for three and a half years. She loved the Lord.
She is survived by her husband, of 39 years, Claude Barnett Motley, Jr.; daughters, Stacey M. Keasler of Elgin and Reagan M. Neal and her husband Reece of Elgin; grandchildren, Ryleigh Grace Neal, River Andrew Neal and Robert Bailey Keasler, Jr.; twin brother, Jack Wayne Self of Camden; brother, Harvey Leo Self of Camden and sister, Linda S. Halsall of Camden. She was predeceased by her brothers, Johnny Randal Self and David William Self.
The family would like to express a special thank you to her dear friend of many years Alice Ellis and the staff and nurses of SC Oncology and Dr. Mary Ackerman. They would also like to thank her many friends for their cards, calls, prayers and flowers during her battle with cancer.
Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
On-line condolences may be sent to the Motley family by visiting www.kornegayfuneral.com.

Another Day With Sad News ::

I just got an e-mail from Del that Joyce Self Motley has passed away after an extended bout with cancer. I'll post more information as I receive it.