Aiken Standard from Aiken, South Carolina • Page 3

Aiken Standard, Aiken, South Carolina Page edited by: Karen Klock LOCAL NEWS Tuesday, November 10, 2009 3A BACK 8omm e-mail: Travel to moon I agree with the person who said we should no lon- ger go to the moon. I think they hit the nail right oti the head. God didn't give us our brains and capabilities so we could leave this great universe of his. If God wanted us to go beyond the bounds of His perfect creation, He would have said so. It's in I the Bible, folks.

Rules in the city Apparently a new bor doesn't like trees so down they came. That act destroyed privacy and a backdrop of green. Much to my surprise this "Tree City" has no regulations about removing trees on private property. I was told that restrictions here were too evasive on what people can do with their property. Yet if you're in the historic or a historic overlay area of downtown, don't even think of putting in a new driveway or patio unless the plan is approved, or the aesthetic police will find you.

I'd love to know how that's not evasive and who makes up these selective rules. Carriage parade I enjoyed the carriage parade on Saturday. What wonderful exhibition of in all its good facets. Football Why is the guy from Strom Thurmond not playing with South Carolina? It seemed like he should have been given a chance. Hounds blessing It seems to me that the hounds have to be blessed pretty often.

How long does ahobnd blessing last before it has to be renewed? Call our TalkBack hotline at (803) 644-2384 and leave your message, or e-mail it to us at dard. com. Readers'names are not necessary to make a comment and will not be published in the newspaper Comments should be brief and to the point, and the Aiken Standard reserves the right to edit for space and content. CORRECTION Chere Avery, who was pictured on the front left of the new staff photo in Monday's paper, received the Edward R. Murrow award.

The Aiken Standard regrets the errors. Standard is committed to accurately reporting the events of Aiken CQunty, the State of South Carolina and the world. This space is made available each day so we may promptly con-ect any. information we publish and subsequently find to be factually wrong or misleading. If you see an en'or of fact in the newspa- please point it out to us so we set the record straight.

Call Mike Gibbons at 644-2381 or Wallace at 644-2400 to report lj3roblems or e-mail to Disbanded Rotary club members are still handing out donations By ROB NOVIT Senior writer The Aiken South Rotary Club disbanded several months ago, but its former members keep on giving. The club, represented by Peter Stein and Sandy Bartlett, presented a $1,000 donation Monday to Bill Boyce, who volunteers as the Area 15 Special Olympics coordinator. Dwindling membership numbers led Rotarians in the club to take the reluctant action to disband. "The club decided that we would take the funds that had been set aside over time and disperse them to local groups with the most need," Stein said. Aiken South also contributed funds to Helping Hands, the Alzlieimer's Association and to three elementary schools Redclifife, Oakwood-Wmdsor and Greendale.

The club gave $500 to the Aiken Sunrise Rotary to help purchase dictionaries that were donated by three clubs to all third- graders in Aiken County. Several members of Aiken South transferred to the Aiken Rotary Club and to Aiken Sunrise. Funds followed them in support of the International Rotary Foundation, which assists with service projects worldwide. An additional donation went to Rotary International for the specific project that will provide latrines for Ethiopian women who are HIV victims and were abandoned by their husbands. "All the people remaining with the club had input on this," said Staff photo by Rob Novit Paul Boyce, center, a Special Olympics bowler, holds a $1,000 donation to the area organization from the former Ailten South Rotary Club.

Also pictured, from left, are Special Olympics bowler John Perre, Olympics volunteers Bill Boyce and Carl Rapp, and former Aiken South members Sandy Bartlett and Peter Stein. Stein. "But James Goodman, our historian and a charter member, was probably the linchpin. This allowed us to fiilfiU a lot of the goals of Rotary." Boyce was joined for the presentation by his son Paul and John Perre, both Special Olympics bowlers, and Carl Rapp, a longtime volunteer who started the bowling program. The new donation will go.

into general programming, including the annual Spring Games, bowling and swimming. "We're trying to grow our program," Boyce said. "We're looking at golf right now and are looking for younger participants for bowling." Rapp and other volunteers meet with Special Olympics bowlers most Sundays at Park Avenue Lanes. Rapp was pleased with the most recent donation. "I think it's great they thought of us, especially at a time when we're trying to get some other activities going," he said.

"We're lining up tennis practices and are looking for volunteers for that, too." For more information about Special Olympics and volimteer opportunities, call Boyce at 293-6136. Staff photo by Ben Baugh Boy Scout Troop 432 built a run-in shed in one of the paddocks at Equine Rescue of Aiken. Pictured are John Soderquist, Ben Welker, Richard Walker, Jim Rhodes, James Powell, Kylie Taylor, Larkin Steele, William Powell, Haileigh McMullin and Chet Taylor. Not pictured are Jere Parker and Joel Basset. Scouts build shed for Equine Rescue By BEN BAUGH Staff writer James Powell is closing in on his objective.

As he works toward becoming an Eagle Scout, it was not only his mind and body that were at work but also his heart. The Boy Scout enlisted the help of his fellow Scouts and father to build a run-in shed at Equine Rescue of Aiken. The project was a community efibrt. Those involved in the project did a lot of legwork to see the building of the run-in shed come to fruition, said Jim Rhodes of Equine Rescue of Aiken. The Boy Scout Troop 432 members were conscientious and did an outstanding job, he said.

"(James Powell) had contacted us and said he was needing an Eagle Scout project; I told him I'd be glad to find him something, and he came out here, and I showed liim what I wanted," EUiodes said. "They drew up the plans and went to different vendors in Aiken. They were able to get lumber, nails, shingles and materials donated. We have a very usefiil, permanent structure. I think they did a good job with it." The project took about eight days to complete, Powell said.

Troop members contributed, each working a number of hours, with the entire effort taking about 150 man-hours. "It took us about eight days," Powell said. "I asked my patrol leader, who said that the rescue would have a number of jobs that I could become involved in. My dad, Norman Powell, played a big role in the project. Mac and Robbie, who work at the Rescue, also contributed." The project had some challenges, but Troop 432's determination overcame any pitfalls and advereity associated with building the run-in shed.

Lowe's provided tlie Scouts willi the roofing material and nails, and Aiken Lumber provided the wood. Equine Rescue of Aiken helped make up tiie difference to complete the structure that provides shade and shelter for horses. "Now that I see it finished, I'm pretty happy," Powell said. "There was a beam on the front side that kept drooping down, and, to fix the problem, we laminated the beam. The project was and lots of fun, and I encourage people to come out and help." Equine Rescue of Aiken's Larkin Steele was touched by the project and said she would love to see more people from tlie area get involved in the facility's activities.

"I'm very happy and proud that these kids wanted to do a project for us," Steele said. "It gives back to tiiem and to the hoi-ses. Tliis is what I wanted the rescue to become, a community-oriented place. The kids did a really professional run-in shed) is so well-done, and it blends right in." The generosity of a 5-year-old has also gone a long way in helping horses at the Rescue. Instead of receiving birthday presents, Chloe Diddle asked her friends to bring money instead of gifts, so it could be donated to Equine Rescue of Aiken, said Holly Biddle, Chloe's mother.

"We had decided to do this a couple of years ago and had made a donation two yeai-s ago," Biddle said. "We raised $560." ABOUT YOUR AIKEN STANDARD staff photo by Rob Novit Aiken Middle School Assistant Principal Cindy Munschy is joined by students Daniel Hiers, left, and James Frazier, who with other classmates received shoes donated through a Rack Room Shoes promotion. Rack Room grant allows kids to have new shoes By ROB NOVIT Senior writer Daniel Hiers, James Frazier and a number of Aiken Middle School classmates celebrated with unexpected gifts Monday new tennis shoes, thanks to a grant from Rack Room Shoes. Assistant Principal Cindy Munschy obtained an $1,100 "credit card" from the firm's corporate oflfice over the summer. She visited Rack Room Shoes' outlet in Aiken recently and brought back shoes to help out kids in need.

"It's nice of the company and the teachers to get our shoes," said Daniel, who wears a size 14. "It's pretty exciting, and I can keep my feet comfortable." During the summer, Rack Room Shoes holds promotions so that people can donate to the program. "This means a lot to the kids," said Munschy, who also got a grant in 2008. "Some of our families are in situations that will mean a rough Christmas, and the economy has played a role in that. A lot of our parents have been laid off." Rack Room Shoes partners with Shoes That Fit, a national nonprofit organization that helps children who could benefit from a new pair of shoes.

The company works with more than 400 elementary, middle and high schools in the communities served by its stores. "We know when children attend school without proper shoes, their ability to leam and grow is significantly impacted," a company spokesman said in a press release. "Our stores throughout the coim- try raise fimds to provide shoes to these children so they can attend school in comfort and with dignity." Berwyn Piper, the Rack Room Shoes manager in Aiken, said he's happy to participate in the project. "It's a real neat thing, and it's good for the kids' self-esteem," he said. Pope named East Aiken's Good Citizen of the month Jabrea Pope was named the DAR Good Citizen of the month at East Aiken Elementary.

Jeffcoat receives high score on USA Test Prep April Jeffcoat, a student at Wagener- Salley High School, was named to the High Scores list on USA Test Prep. She is 14th out of 25 South Carolina students. I've got a news tip. Who can I call? Call the newsroom at 644-2401. If no one answers, please leave a message.

We're good about returning calls. Can I submit something to the paper? Absolutely. Reader submissions are not allowed but encouraged. If it's important to you, it's important to us. E-mail submissions to Call Managing Editor Gibbons at 644-2381 for more information.

iiill nil When will my paper be delivered? Expect your paper by 6 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends. County home delivery subscribers can expect their paper by 7 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.

on weekends. What If I don't receive my paper? For re-delivery information, please call Re-delivery hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 11 weekends.

I pay the Aiken Standard or my carrier? Payment should be made to the Standard to ensure proper credit to your account. The Aiken Standard Is not esponsible for payments made directly to newspaper carriers, who are independent 'infractors and not under the control of this company. Paid-in-advance accounts Automatically convert to carrier-colleot bi ling when the subscription terni expires. pWhat If I want to cancel my subscription? Customers must call the Aiken Stan- ijiard to cancel subscriptions. OFFICE HOURS: OfTice hours; p.m.

Monday- Friday 326 Rutland Drive Phone; 648-2311 fax: 648-6052 E-mail; NEWSROOM; Tim O'Brlant, News Director 644-2380 Michael Gibbons, Managing Editor 644-2381 Cain Huffman, Sports Editor 644-2396 Newsroom line 644-2401 PUBLISHeR; The publisher has responsibility for ail Aiken StSyidard departments. Scott B. Hunter can be reached at 644-2345; e-mall: dard.com The Aiken Standard (ISSN 0893-2557), established in 1867, is published each morning by Aiken Communications P.O. Box 456, 326 Rutland Drive, Aiken, S.C., 29802. Periodicals postage paid at Aiken, B.C.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to the Aiken Standard, P.O. Box 456, Aiken, S.C. 29802 Days Mon-Sun Fri-Sun Internet SUBSCRIPTION RATES: EZ Pay 3 mos 6 mos 12 mos $11.85 $8.85 $5.99 $3750 $2730 $73.50 $53.60 $145.00 $10720 Rates are slightly higher outside our home delivery city zone. For information regarding our mail, discounted office pay, other frequencies of delivery or EZ Pay rates, please call (803) 648-2311. Sunday Plus subscribers Will receive delivery of the Aiken Standard on the following dates: 2008: Jan.

19, Feb. 16, March 1, April 5, April 7-12, April 27 May 27 June 15, July 3-4, Aug. 12, Aug. 19, Sept. 23, Nov.

25-28, and Dec. 24-26. Aiken's character trait for the month of November is Initiative. Monday's numbers: Pick 3 5-5-6 Pick 4 Midday: 4-8-8-5 Pick 3 Evening: 3-5-7 Pick4 Evening: 1-8-2-0 Palmetto Cash Power-Up: 2 mm Monday's winning numbers: Cash 3 Midday: 3-9-7 Cash 4 Midday: 9-8-0-8 Cash 3 Evening: 7-5-4 Cash 4 Evening: 7-8-3-6 Fantasy.