In a few short days, a celebration will take place. How the celebration is observed is optional. Monday, September 6 marks the nation’s observance of Labor Day. The last couple of years have been rough for the American worker but there are those who want to work. The day was created by unions wanting to celebrate the hard work of their members, a “working man’s holiday.”
While change is inevitable, it’s also a time of opportunity. For me, it’s a new job here at The People-Sentinel. I have been writing for The People-Sentinel for nearly three years and have enjoyed my time meeting people and telling their stories. Recently I have been honored with a promotion to Managing Editor. For those who do not know me, I am a mother, a wife, an only child. Thanks to my parents, I understand and appreciate hard work. The title of a job does not mean much if the person behind the title is not willing to get down in the trenches and actually work.
It’s Election time in South Carolina. On Nov. 2, voters from all walks of life and from all corners of the state will choose our leadership – from U.S. Senator to Governor to our local S.C. House representative. In addition, many communities across the state will also decide on local town, city or county council races. As Election Day nears, several candidates for these local offices have begun calling me to ask questions about a Local Government Transparency Initiative the Comptroller’s Office began last year.
A friend, Lincoln Easterbrooks, called the other day to ask if I could put my hands on a column I did in 1973, and I said, well, maybe at the library. The column was about the 200th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a column I didn’t even remember. After all, that was several mental lapses ago. But my wife had an idea. “I bet Mother saved that column while we were away,” she said, and she went to check a box of clippings she’d rescued from her parents’ home.
Charles Ivey was on his way back from Arkansas when he called Peggy in Gainesville, Ga., to check in. He’d been trout fishing on White River with a bunch of other guys, and his wife would be interested in what he was bringing home. Usually it was a T-shirt, but this year he was bringing home a dog.
South Carolinians will be saving lots of dollars Friday through Sunday as the annual tax-free weekend is in effect. The multi-day event is geared to help families pay for many of the back-to-school supplies including clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers and supplies, and dorm room items such as bed and bath items. We ask our residents to primarily shop at home this weekend. There are a multitude of stores all over the county which carry the items exempt from taxes – the “big box” stores and the smaller shops along our main streets.
Eugene Phillips sat on a settee he and Nadine bought soon after they married in 1941. Steve Arnold sat on a small bench. You could almost reach out and touch the respect each man had for the other as they talked.
