The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 14

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2002 6B EDITORIAL imcH anil iatmtrat SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA'S CROSSROADS SINCE 1881 CATHY C. HUGHES PUBLISHER "WERE IT LEFT TO ME TO DECIDE WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNMENT WITHOUT NEWSPAPERS OR NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT, I SHOULD NOT HESITATE TO PREFER THE LATTER." -THOMAS JEFFERSON SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT- LEEHARTER- EORG IAN NE WALTON EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER BARBARA WEST-RAVENELL CHARLES CARRICK CIRCULATION DIRECTOR PRESSROOM FOREMAN JERRY HARVILL RANDY ETTERS r- -1 Trtv vU," 7 vy.r, OPERATIONS MANAGER ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OPINION -THE ISSUE Christmas in a turbulent time OUR OPINION America already at war and we can't forget that Reunion day amid world of worries Aw I. f. hristmas is a special family day, a holiday unlike any other. It's becoming even more a family day a time for family reunions.

Survey information indicates the events of SPECIAL TO THE A group of concerned citizens, foundations and businesses with the support of S.C. Congressman James Clyburn, left, and Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson, right, raised enough funds to purchase the Benjamin Mays house and move it to Greenwood. Historic Benjamin Mays birthplace is saved Sept. 11, 2001, made Americans more likely to seek out family during special days and times. One in five Americans attended a reunion during the past year, the Travel Industry Association of American reports.

During the past year, many families were more determined than ever to maintain their traditions. "We talked to many organizers who have been almost militant in their determination to not let the terrorists stop them from reconnecting with loved ones," said Edith Wagner, important educators, Benjamin E. Mays. Located along a lonely stretch of Highway 178 in Greenwood County, the house was dilapidated, filled with hay and listed as one of South Carolina's most endangered historic places. This Christmas I am happy to report that the Mays house has been saved.

A group of concerned citizens, foundations and businesses with the support of S.C. Congressman James Clyburn and Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson, raised enough funds to purchase the house and move it to Greenwood. It was moved to a site in South Caroli Last Christmas Day, The Times and Democrat featured a story about our White House visit on its front page. We were there to attend a reception honoring artists who did ornaments for Mrs. Bush's Christmas tree.

We were flattered and I was especially proud of the photo of my wife in the White House. She is the unsung hero in our house. If I seem to fly, it is because she is the "wind beneath my wings," to quote Bette Midler's popular song. But the real purpose of my ornament was to bring attention to the plight of the birthplace of one of America's most na's historic corridor where it will be renovated and opened to visitors. A park will be developed around the site, located near a middle school, and the humble beginnings of Dr.

Mays, spiritual mentor of Dr. Martin Luther King, will be preserved, an inspiration to others. The role of The Times and Democrat in this process was invaluable. This is a fitting Christmas present for all of us. -Leo Twiggs Distinguished Artist in Residence Claflin University Orangeburg editor of Reunions magazine.

While Christmas gatherings may no represent the traditional Southern family reunion, they are important for similar reasons. Families reunite to keep in touch and pass family heritage to their children. This is important for genealogists and historians whose goal is to keep generations connected. And they are important simply for relatives to get to know one another, to share Christmas greetings, a meal, gifts in some cases. More likely to gather since 9-11? Maybe.

More than a year and three months after the terrorist attacks that have come to be known as "the events of 9-11," we worry that Americans have disassociated what happened with the events in today's world. Now it is talk of war with Iraq and debate about disarming North Korea. The family gatherings and reunions on this day will inevitably produce talk of what is happening in a very dangerous world. We are told America could be at war any day. We ARE at war.

Has the danger being faced by so many in Afghanistan been forgotten? Have our leaders been too quick to jump away from the priority of tracking down the terrorists responsible for 9-11? On this Christmas Day, these are questions many will not want to ponder. But for thousands of Americans serving in places such as Afghanistan or part of the buildup that appears to be leading to war with Iraq, the absence of their family reunion this year is very real. Let us pray this Christmas for our men and women serving this country, for the strength as a people to persevere amid what is certain to be more attacks on our people and our country and that our leaders make the right decisions about matters that could cost thousands of lives. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Berry's World lieve it was the Holy Spirit) told me to just check inside and maybe, just maybe, an honest, trustworthy individual found it outside in the buggy return and turned it in to customer service. Can you believe it? They did.

Purse, credit cards and all were there. I just wanted this act of honesty to be known and to let the person responsible know I really appreciate it. You do not know how much it renewed my spirit and reminded me that there are some good, honest people still in Orangeburg and that when you least expect it, sometimes blessings do occur in the parking lot at Wal-Mart. Again, thank you my friend. Sherri C.

McClain, Norway Blessings occur even in parking lot The world around us has become harsh, and sometimes quite cruel. More senseless killings make the front page. The human race seems to have lost the meaning of life and killing someone appears to be like putting on a pair of socks for others. Fortunately for me, my faith and belief in God warrants me to try and be positive in this world, so that perhaps, others may see Christ in me. My situation happened on Friday, Dec.

13, 2002 a superstitious day for those who believe in such nonsense). Bad things happen on this day, people say. However, a wonderful thing happened to me and I wanted to somehow convey to my unknown friend my deepest gratitude. I went to Wal-Mart to purchase a few Christmas decorations and the weather was quite nasty. You may remember, cold and wet.

I went inside and after waiting in line quite some time (that's another story, isn't I took my buggy with my items and went out in the cold, wet air. I placed my items in the trunk of my car and was on my way out of the parking lot. I happened to reach for my purse and, BEHOLD, it was not there. Panic struck. I turned my car around so fast and went back to the buggy return, to no avail.

My purse was gone. I immediately telephoned and canceled my debit card but would have to wait until I returned home to Norway to notify the holders of my other credit cards to cancel them. Just at that time, something (I be heard on the BBN channel, on the radio, the other day. It is II Timothy, Chapter 4, verse 4. "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." TV and commercialism have brainwashed us into feeling like we have to go out and spend a lot of money on gifts for everyone.

Buy their junk. What we need to do is to take this time to give to the poor and helpless. I think Jesus says it best in Luke, Chapter 6, verse 30. "Give to every man that asketh of thee: and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the I Iighest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful." With all the gifts that God has bestowed upon this country, it is a shame that even one person is cold and hungry, much less the multitudes we have. So, when you give this year, give some to those who need it the most, the poor, hungry, and helpless.

Giving gives everlasting joy, while receiving brings temporary satisfaction. -Jon Hare, Orangeburg CHRISTMAS ask Giving gives everlasting joy Merry Christmas everybodyl Doesn't mean the same thing as it used to, does it? I still can't believe that people would stand in line at Wal-Mart stores and malls, some 300-500 people deep, waiting to get a deal. Getting them before someone else, whether you need them or not. I guess that is why the gift of life from our savior, Jesus Christ, is such a good deal, you don't have to stand in line to get it. Christmas has become all about receiving Instead of giving.

I'll bet just about every child in this country knows who Santa is, and maybe half know who Jesus is. Instead of telling them about and celebrating the gift of life from Jesus, we celebrate the gifts of man. What a shame! This reminds me of a Bible verse I www.comici com O2002byNEA, Ino. AMP HAfff KWAMZAA.