| Newsletter Archives |
 |
|
Letter from the President Mayor Eddie Lee (803) 628-6615 President's Comments: The Society ended 2002 with an excellent Christmas Tour, which focused on the downtown business district with its numerous dwellings and shops. The tour proved once again the durability of the Society because the community had just suffered a devastating ice storm. Still, the tour coordinators, Ann Allison and Jan Ramsey, did an outstanding job of directing a memorable tour that showed the beauty of our historic town. I want to thank all of the many people who assisted Jan and Ann with this event. Our January 30 meeting will feature Winthrop University History Professor Dr. Rory Cornish. As you will remember, Dr. Cornish was unable to attend our Society's November meeting, and we are looking forward to having him share his research with us later this month. During the holidays, I heard from our longtime member Margaret Kerbow who now lives in a Charlotte retirement home with her husband, Graves. We miss the Kerbows, but they remain interested in all the wonderful things we are doing in our Society. And I want to thank you for being so active in our organization. I am fortunate to have you as members of the Yorkville Historical Society.
Editorially Speaking Changing faces, familiar places… |
| Collecting Today! By Ken Spaulding Most of us are born collectors. I think that some families are blessed or cursed with collecting gene that can transform their very lives and homes lives to either Martha Stewart's standards or a chaotic frenzy… Our home usually reflects the latter extreme. Marci has been collecting frogs for years and there is hardly a 'frog free zone'. They're almost everywhere. From the early Catawba pottery frog we bought at Dorothy Williamson's tag sale to Kermit the frog and his contemporaries we've got them of every size, shape and color imaginable! Marci also has nice collection of Beatrix Potter figures by Royal Doulton most of which were received as gifts over the years. Our son Matthew's current favorites are Beanie Babies, penny tokens and Poke'mon collectibles. At seven he has amassed quite an extraordinary collection. We've learned to walk carefully in Matthew's crowded bedroom. One minor bump can cause an avalanche! I've collected teapots, pitchers, cranberry glass and early lighting for many, many, years as well as primitive and Victorian furniture. It seems that our 1,800 SF ranch is exploding from time to time. We try to purge it from duplicates and extra once or twice a year with mixed results. We've discovered that collectors are the easiest people in the world to find holiday gifts for. This year we decided to use the Internet for most of our holiday shopping with wonderful results. Ebay is the largest site and it is a virtual 'candy store' of goodies for the collector in all of us. I started my search for some Royal Doultons Toby Mugs from the Doultonville Collection. This is a discontinued series of twenty-five, 4 inch, three quarter figured Toby Mugs that were originally produced in the mid 1980s. I had purchased my first, The Clairvoyant, a number of years ago and had acquired six or seven prior to this year's Ebay adventures. Over the years I would find one every now and then at an antique show or shop we visited. If the price was right and our cash flow permitted I would buy one and take it home for my personal collection.
|
| A Great Experience By Cindy Jonas In this issue I thought I would tell you about a great opportunity I was given in November to attend a workshop sponsored by the National Park Service in Yorktown. In conjunction with the commemoration of the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution (2000-2006), the National Park Service is working to create an educational guide that will link the NPS sites that are associated with the American Revolution. As we have mentioned before in the newsletter, we are fortunate to be so close to Kings Mountain National Military Park, and this educational guide is an excellent opportunity to share this site with the rest of the country. There were people at the workshop from Boston, Lexington and Concord, Philadelphia, Morristown and other National Park Service representatives. It was amazing to listen to the different people talk about their sites and to talk about the contributions of each site to the Revolution. As I talked to the lady from Boston, I was reminded of a conversation that I had at the last newsletter meeting with Grace and Dan. They did not grow up in the South and said when they studied the Revolution, they did not learn about the important battles that were fought here. The Bostonian teacher said when she was studying the Revolution she knew about the battles that were fought from New Jersey north. She said she knew that Washington was at Valley Forge but then, miraculously, Yorktown occurred. I was very adamant about the fact that in the educational guide there should be ample mention of the battles that were fought in the South, especially Charles Town I and II, Camden, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse. Our students should learn about other battles such as the Battle of Huck's Defeat and other local skirmishes. I hope the Society will continue to sponsor an activity for Carolina Day (June 28) to commemorate the defeat of the British at the Battle of Sullivan's Island that resulted in the palmetto tree being placed on our flag. It is important that we teach our young people about the sacrifices that were made to start this country and the ideas the Founding Fathers had to establish the government and guarantees of freedom that we all enjoy today. |
| Historical Society Sponsors First Essay Contest By Cindy Jonas An essay contest with the topic, "York's History, My History, Our Future", was sponsored by the YHS. This year's contest targeted York Junior High. Although there were not a large number of entries, the Society learned from the experience. The winning essay was written by Jessica Harvey, an eighth grade student. The other prizes were awarded to Wendy Goss and Chrystal Wylie. All of the participants said they learned a lot about the city and its history. The Society will sponsor the contest again next year at another school. |
| What's Up Downtown? By Grace Ebersold I started out the New Year by taking a stroll downtown. I was surprised by what is really happening - Fun! Magic! Crafts! A Working foundry!!! And great things are coming down the line… I first interviewed Mike Knott from Magnolia Mills. This restaurant is doing great and is now serving 17 ½ oz. Rib Eye Steaks! He told me all about his plans for the old York Drug Store. Apartments will be built on the back of the store. He hopes to open "THE COTTON GIN SALOON" by May 1. He is planning a dance floor, dinner theater every other Thursday night or maybe Karaoke or shag dances. He hopes to serve big beef and big pork. Does that sound like fun or what? Don Lowry has already dubbed the upper deck on the pharmacy "The Steeple Chase Garden" as we will be able to see all the steeples in York from this vantage point. Mikes' Irish Pub is doing great. Do you like beer? Besides the many beers on tap, he has 50 different kinds in bottles. Friday night is Ladies' Night. He also has a Mug Club, Bean Club, and Wine Club. Go visit the Neighborhood Pub and enjoy yourself. I heard that Ozark Morrison purchased the Neely Drug Store and is going to start a landscaping business there…but will keep the soda fountain open. I'll let you know more about that next time. Larry and Peggy Allen, originally from Atlanta, now from Cleveland County, are running THE WHITE HOUSE on Congress Street. Catchy…they sell unusual and hard-to-find kitchen items, home decorating items, and will be selling outdoor patio pots for spring. A rumor has it that Emma's Flower Shop has been sold. Watch for news about it. Cougar's Den, owned by the Gilfillans will have two apartments upstairs. This restaurant is not open as yet. doors were locked…nobody to interview…but keep your eyes peeled on it. Its motif will be all about the York High School Athletes. Across the street, going toward Madison Street, I met Gene Burton in THE WORLD OF GIFTS. He opened this shop on December 16. He specializes in novelty gifts, toys, magic tricks, pranks, gag gifts, fashion jewelry, and party supplies. He also does magic shows for birthday parties and churches. Call him at 684-1266. Further down, I saw John R. Green. The Old Master Golf Company has survived thanks to Jim and Brian McKee. Jim did business with John with his hickory-shafted putters back in Pennsylvania. He incorporated that into a new business when he purchased John's company. The foundry is still operating-the only foundry in the USA that makes only golf clubs and putters. Jim told me that the Calico Gal is being made again, this time with a new slant. The pink ribbon, symbol of the Breast Cancer Foundation, will be painted on the club with the name of the survivor or in memory of someone. Then $25 will be donated to this foundation. Jim is also a UPS service station. You can mail your UPS packages from here instead of traveling all the way to Rock Hill. Last, but not least, we will have a street party again. This time it will be a celebration of St. Patrick's Day…either Friday night or Saturday. Watch for more information on this. We certainly had fun at the Halloween Party! |
| WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! By Cindy Jonas The Newsletter Committee would like to focus on the historical buildings in York. We want to include more than just the facts about architecture, furnishings, and owners. Think about the stories you heard growing up; were there ghosts in the attic; did some famous person stay in the guest room; were the gardens designed by someone special or were the plants chosen to commemorate certain events? Please let us know. You can email us, call us, or snail mail stories. We would love to include these with pictures to keep these stories alive! We would love to have stories about growing up in York whether they are about a historical building or not. We want to make this a regular feature so please send us your stories. Our next issue deadline is April 1. |
| MUSEUM OF YORK
COUNTY CALENDAR Saturday, January 25 10 AM MYCO Family Program - Learn how to locate the brightest stars and constellations. Saturday, February l 8 PM to Midnight MYCO Gala 2003 Saturday, February 15 10 AM MYCO African Mammal Safari Friday, February 21 9AM - 11 AM MC CELVEY - Arts in Education School Program THE MUSICAL WORLD OF IMANAI GONZALES Tuesday, February 25 6PM - 8:30 PM MYCO The Foods of Vietnam: A Beginner's Cooking Class Saturday, March l 7 PM & 8 PM MC CELVEY - Showcase Series Cafe Mac -Vietnamese cuisine buffet 7PM Khac Chi Ensemble- 8 PM Vietnamese songs and sounds |
| LIFE PHILOSOPHY The most destructive habit..................................Worry The greatest joy..................................................Giving The greatest loss.................................................Self-respect The most satisfying work.....................................Helping others The ugliest personality trait...................................Selfishness The most endangered species...............................Dedicated leaders Our greatest natural resource................................Our youth The greatest "shot in the arm"...............................Encouragement The greatest problem to overcome........................Fear The most effective sleeping pill.............................Peace of mind The most crippling disease...................................Excuses The most powerful force in life.............................Love The most dangerous outcast.................................A gossiper The world's most incredible computer...................The brain The worst thing to be without................................Hope The deadliest weapon to a soul..............................Our tongue The two most power-filled words..........................."I CAN!" The greatest asset...................................................Faith The most worthless emotion...................................Self-pity The most beautiful attire..........................................A smile The most prized possession....................................Integrity The most powerful channel of communication..........Prayer The most contagious spirit.......................................Enthusiasm |
