Senior in Need: Angel Trees

While the spirit of the holiday season is still within us, it is the perfect time to thank everyone who participated in the 2009 “Senior in Need” holiday angel tree event here in the Pawleys Island community.

Even in these economically troubled times our country is going through, our community once again unselfishly took angels from our trees and provided thoughtful and outstanding gifts for over 200 of our needy senior citizens.

This was my 11th year coordinating this effort and the generous outpouring of support continues to amaze and inspire me.

Each year we are blessed with the wholehearted and unfailing support of our friends at Electronics, Inc. and Applewood House of Pancakes who continue to be wonderful hosts to the trees and angels and who are the drop-off locations for all the gifts.

This year also brought us a new friend in our endeavor - E.A. Sansbury Salon and we are extremely grateful for their help as well.

Each one of these businesses opened their arms and welcomed us without hesitation.

Once again, along with the hosts of the angel trees, we are more than ever grateful for each and every person who was able to choose an angel and provide such wonderful gifts to our seniors.

We could never accomplish this without you and all of your thoughtfulness.

A very, very special thank you to all of our seniors for without you, where would we be. Each one of us is a better person to have been able to share the joy of the season with you.

All of the angel tree gifts were distributed to the seniors through the Pawleys Island Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, St. Elizabeth Place, Senior Day Care at Baskervill  and to several senior hospice care patients. We are very thankful for every one who was involved with the distribution of these gifts.

On a personal note, seeing the kindness that goes along with this effort and all the joy it brings to so many people, is truly the best Christmas gift I could ever find under my tree and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes — even from the very first year.

For some of our seniors, your gift may be the only one they have received so thank you for making my heart sing!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

Sheila Cook, Coordinator

Senior in Need Angel Trees

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Manmade global climate change

An opinion in the Dec 23 Georgetown Times stated “global climate change is a scientific fact.”

I assume the writers meant manmade global warming since global climate has always changed.

I suggest the writers Google the following among tens of thousands of highly respected scientists who question the “facts” of global warming: Nobel Laureate Ivar Giaever Doctorate in Physics, Richard Lindzen Professor of Meteorology at MIT, Freeman Dyson Emeritus Professor of Physics (widely considered one of the world's most distinguished scientists) at Princeton, William Happer Professor of Physics at Princeton, Meteorologist and founder of the Weather Channel John Coleman, Richard Lindzen Professor of Meteorology at MIT, John Christy Professor Atmospheric Science and Director of Earth Systems Science Center at the University of Alabama, and Roy Spencer Doctorate in Meteorology and Principle Research Scientist for global temperature measurements on NASA’s Aqua Satellite at the University of Alabama.

Based on an Oct 22 Pew Research poll the opinion writers are in a minority of only 36% of the population who believe in man-made global warming.

As for cap-and-trade legislation, even its supporters agree it would have almost no impact on global temperatures and would be the largest tax increase in history.

Recent reports indicate Senators are beginning to realize that passing this legislation would cause significant harm to our economy and it (thankfully) will probably not be introduced in the Senate in 2010.

Philip Holberton

Resident of Litchfield

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Little Old Lady trips on boardwalk, breaks hip; "Drunken Sailor George" held liable!

  Praise to City Administrator Chris Eldridge for recognizing the bad condition of the boardwalk. The condition presents a liability to the city, not only in terms of possible medical costs, if someone falls and gets hurt; but also could be found guilty of neglect in a court case. Liability Insurance costs money in premiums and payouts mean higher premiums.

  The estimated $350,000 cost in using city employees appears to be a reasonable cost, even if using the higher priced, but longer lasting materials. The old addage of pay me now or pay me later to do the job again should be heeded.If the old job lasted 25 years (late 80's to 2010), and the new one will last 50 years or more, with annual treatment and upkeep, the city will be ahead of the game. DO the JOB RIGHT the FIRST TIME. (Look up IPE WOOD frequently asked questions website.)

  Now concerning shop owners having to pay "their" connectors to the boardwalk, I agree with Ms. Jeanette Ard, that the city should pick up the tab. Not because the shop owners cann't afford the cost; but rather even though the shop owners "own" the connections, (legal matters aside), all shop owners along Front Street benefit, indirectly from the entire boardwalk. The visitor goes from shop to shop, buys from one, ice cream from another, dines at another and never gives it a thought who owns the boardwalk. Visitors are here to see the boats and the river.They aren't concerned about what shop they came out of, to get onto the boardwalk.

  As per the railing system,could the old pipe system be brought up to code with less cost, to save money? Fogel Wharf just did that section over, to match the city boardwalk, and I would hate to see them have to do it over. What are the other options to meet code?

  The Boardwalk is a MAJOR ASSET to the downtown draw of visitors and residents alike. It is in need of an overhaul. Good for you, Mr. Eldridge, for addressing the need and moving it toward being done for next years tourist season.

  We moved here two years ago because of the quaintness of the downtown, Georgetown area.

Dick and Marcia Newcomb

Georgetown