http://www.gtowntimes.com/ en-us http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Debby-Summey---Keep-Those-Cards-and-Letters-Coming-In- “Keep Those Cards and Letters Coming In” was the title of a song performed by Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn in 1965.  Dean Martin also used this phrase on his television variety show in the 60s. Before that, early radio used the phrase to solicit support from listeners. To me, it’s a heartfelt plea to my readers. Every time I get an email, phone call, or card from someone who has read my column, I learn something that makes the subject material more personal, something that hours of research could not reveal. If you’ve been reading my columns for the past several years, you know that one of my passions is to memorialize and honor the dead buried in Potter’s Field, the cemetery bounded by Highmarket, Dozi ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Debby-Summey---Keep-Those-Cards-and-Letters-Coming-In- http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Gloria-Ford-What-a-blessing-to-have-a-day-to-honor-our-mothers “He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” Job 5:19 How wonderful to greet the day Whether in sunshine or in rain To know we have another chance To live a life of gain Maybe things are not quite right Maybe you’re sad and blue It’s been that way a long- long time And your prayers aren’t going through And then you ask What am I to do? The Lord wants you to know He loves you more each day Never stop to seek His will Never cease to pray He’s on your side He is your guide He’ll never leave you whatever be-tide So let a smile grow on your face And thank God for His saving grace Greet each day as God’s own child And He’ll make your living all wort ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Gloria-Ford-What-a-blessing-to-have-a-day-to-honor-our-mothers http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Ann-Ipock--Ipock-a-Lips---Dumb-and-dumber--or-would-that-be--dumbest-- It was to be an impromptu get-together. I hadn’t seen my friend, Jessica, since Katie’s wedding in October, though she lives a mere ten houses away. Isn’t that just the way it is? I see a friend from Atlanta more often than I see Jessica. I cleaned my house as fast as I could – I’m no longer into piles. I wrote a column about that many years ago, titled, “My life is ordered by piles.” Now it’s ordered by Ziploc bags. Lots and lots of Ziploc bags in all sizes – pint, sandwich, quart, but mostly gallon. I’m so addicted that I often buy Ziploc freezer bags not because I’m going to put my stuff (aka junk) in the freezer, but because they’re heavy-duty. When you’re ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Ann-Ipock--Ipock-a-Lips---Dumb-and-dumber--or-would-that-be--dumbest-- http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/POLICE-BLOTTER-One-dead--one-sick-horse A Montford Road woman was issued a citation after one dead horse and one malnourished horse were found on her property. Acting on a tip, a deputy responded to the home May 11 and saw one horse was deceased and the other “looked like skin and bones,” the report states. The dead horse did not appear malnourished, according to the deputy. A woman who lives at the residence said the horses belong to her mother who lives in North Carolina. She said her mother planned to get the horses at some point. Contact was made with the woman’s mother who said she had a vet visit two months ago and he gave both horses shots. She said the living horse has a nutrition problem. The woman was told she needed to get help for the horse or have ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/POLICE-BLOTTER-One-dead--one-sick-horse http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Waccamaw-Refuge-to-add-1-362-acres The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on Thursday a grant that will allow the purchase of an additional 1,362 acres in Georgetown County. The land will be added to the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge in Georgetown and Horry counties. More than $25 million in federal grants and Federal Duck Stamp revenues will be used to protect, restore or enhance thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in the United States and Mexico for the benefit of shared migratory bird populations. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission voted to approve the use of Migratory Bird Conservation Fund monies and North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants to acquire and enhance this habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, landbirds, marsh birds and other wetland ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Waccamaw-Refuge-to-add-1-362-acres http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Encore-of--God-s-Trombones--to-benefit-local-charity2013-05-17T05-38-11 On Saturday, June 22, “God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse” by James Weldon Johnson will return for an encore performance benefiting Helping Hands of Georgetown, Inc. Originally performed to benefit the families of local church members killed in a tragic vehicular accident, the emotional and cultural impact of this professional theatrical performance has prompted a grassroots, community effort to bring God's Trombones back to Georgetown for an encore performance. “We are overwhelmed by the accolades and many persons calling for a repeat performance not only to see it again but encouraging family and friends to see this masterful production," said Donald Gilliard of Sweet Gilliard Productions. Written in 19 ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Encore-of--God-s-Trombones--to-benefit-local-charity2013-05-17T05-38-11 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/New-weatherization-program-could-help-with-electric-bills If a grant applied for by the City of Georgetown is approved, help may be on the way for residents looking for ways to save money on their electric bills. During last month’s City Council meeting, Georgetown resident Donald Gilliard expressed his concerns about high electric bills. He said both his mother and aunt — who live in the city — recently received electric bills for more than $600. “This is an opportunity for council to understand there are seniors and poor people who are falling through the cracks,” Gilliard said. Mayor Jack Scoville said most of the billing issues go back to poorly insulated houses. This new program, he said, will help with many of those problems. “We have way too many houses ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/New-weatherization-program-could-help-with-electric-bills http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Friends-of-the-Kaminski-House-may-take-over-management-of-the-museum The Kaminski House Museum on Front Street is in need of major repairs and one plan that is being considered is for the City of Georgetown to hand over the day-to-day management of the attraction to the Friends of the Kaminski House. Georgetown City Administrator Chris Carter said city leaders met with Friends of the Kaminski House Treasurer Peter Mitchell to talk about the city writing a management agreement with that group. On Thursday Carter said the Friends are seeking $130,000 per year for the next two years to manage the museum. They are also asking for $20,000 for routine maintenance of both the Kaminski House and the adjacent Parker Stewart House. (It has been called the Stewart Parker House, even on the Kaminski House website but a ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Friends-of-the-Kaminski-House-may-take-over-management-of-the-museum http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/19-months-later--county-assesses-sinkhole-damage-to-buildings Georgetown County officials will soon know how much damage sinkholes caused to two county buildings in the City of Georgetown. County Council gave the OK at its meeting Tuesday for GS2 Engineering and Environmental Consulting Services to assess the damage to the Judicial Center Complex and the Georgetown Library. The company will also recommend repairs. Sinkholes began appearing in the city in late October 2011. At the time, up to 60,000 gallons of water per hour were being removed from the ground as part of a South Carolina Department of Transportation drainage project. One of the largest sinkholes caused the collapse of Parrish Place at U.S. Highway 17 and Prince Street. Georgetown County Public Information officer Jackie Broach said GS2 ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/19-months-later--county-assesses-sinkhole-damage-to-buildings http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Korean-War-veteran-gets-his-medals2013-05-17T05-22-37 John Collington of Georgetown served honorably in Korea in the early 1950s, spending a year and five months overseas. He just recently received his medals for that service in that long-ago war. “I was trying to get the medals for a long time,” Collington told the Georgetown Times this week. Part of the Military Personnel Records Center building in St. Louis, Mo. was destroyed in a 1973 fire, and more than 16 million military personnel records were lost. The local Veterans Affairs office helped Collington get his medals. The bare facts related on his discharge  form don’t begin to tell the story of his service during the Korean War, however. Signing up American soldiers had been fighting in Korea for two years before ... 5/17/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Korean-War-veteran-gets-his-medals2013-05-17T05-22-37 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Scouts-learn-salesmanship-and-raise-funds-through-yard-sale Pawleys Island, S.C. — As Boy Scouts raise funds for activities, they find “customer service” is important in working toward their individual salesmanship merit badges. Troop 360 held a successful yard sale Saturday in the parking lot of Christ the King Church. Serving Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island communities, the group sold hundreds of items, such as electronics, furniture, clothing, toys and household items. The merchandise was donated by the community, and the money raised helps fund troop activities, such as trips and camping equipment. Senior patrol leader Jason Walters said he is very proud of how the kids and adults came together to get the job done.   “In the end, we had a great turnout and the b ... 5/16/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Scouts-learn-salesmanship-and-raise-funds-through-yard-sale http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Workshop-reminds-humans-to-leave-dolphins-alone Murrells Inlet, S.C. — Mark Collins has seen first-hand the dangers that dolphins living and frolicking off Murrells Inlet are facing. That’s one of the reasons he supports the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It’s also why he and his wife and partner, Amy, joined about 20 other ecotour operators at the Myrtle Beach Police Department on May 7 for a marine mammal workshop. “The biggest problem is with Jet-Skis,” Collins, who owns and operates Blue Wave Adventures in Murrells Inlet, said. “I’ve seen them run over dolphins and calves, mainly because the riders weren’t paying attention.” As more operators get into the business of dolphin tours off the inlet and more people are renting personal ... 5/16/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Workshop-reminds-humans-to-leave-dolphins-alone http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Bike-Week-arrives-with-a-roar Pawleys Island, S.C. — With Chamber of Commerce-type weather expected for the next few days, more bikers than in recent years are expected along the Grand Strand for the spring Harley-Davidson Bike Rally. While the bikers have been riding into the area for the past few days, the main convergence is expected to begin today. While the bulk of the biker activity takes place in Horry County, the northern tip of Georgetown County — and the downtown Georgetown area — are full of bikers. And to keep problems to a minimum, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office has beefed up patrols, although they are not quite as visible as in years past when Sheriff Lane Cribb set up a big tent that served as a command post. His office wo ... 5/16/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Bike-Week-arrives-with-a-roar http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/At-annual-Pawleys-Pavilion-Reunion--hundreds-shag-for-a-good-cause2013-05-16T16-25-45 Pawleys Island, S.C. — The theme for this year’s Pawleys Pavilion Reunion was “Let the Good Times Roll Again,” and hundreds of people of all ages did just that on Saturday night. The Reunion is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Habitat for Humanity Georgetown County. There was no gap in ages as young and old hit the dance floor to shag to the music of Mark Roberts and Breeze, who played R&B, Motown, and beach music. Relaxing in the VIP section was the Brown family: Lori Brown, her daughter Tyniqua, Raqua, granddaughter  Zoraya Boyd and niece Keisha. Habitat for Humanity built Lori Brown a four- bedroom house in Georgetown. “I was waiting a long time for this and I can’t wait to get into the ... 5/16/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/At-annual-Pawleys-Pavilion-Reunion--hundreds-shag-for-a-good-cause2013-05-16T16-25-45 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Op-Ed--County-followed-City-of-Georgetown-s-wishes-in-East-Bay-Park-plans By Sel Hemingway We at Georgetown County were surprised recently by remarks from some City of Georgetown officials to the effect that the county has been unwilling to make improvements at East Bay Park. The county and the city have long had, and continue to have, a good working relationship, at least from the county’s perspective. The county has been completely willing to allow the city to guide the direction of development and activities at the park, which is demonstrated by the projects currently planned for the park in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan. Those projects were dictated several years ago by city officials, who wanted the park to be reserved for passive recreational activities and open space. Additionally, th ... 5/16/2013 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Op-Ed--County-followed-City-of-Georgetown-s-wishes-in-East-Bay-Park-plans