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Editorially speaking By Ken Spaulding Thanks to all of you for your compliments, observations, and praises regarding issue #1 of the Times. Setting up this newsletter has been a genuine pleasure thanks to the diversified talents of this dedicated, hard-working, committee. With the success of our first issue behind us, we have agreed to provide you with four quarterly editions. We would like to publish our newsletter in July, October, and January. We plan to end our first fiscal year with a newsletter in April 2003. Copy deadlines will be the first of each publication month. I encourage each member of this organization
to provide articles that will be of interest to our members. Most of our
members share a number of common interests and a wealth of knowledge
that should shared and enjoyed by the members of this fine organization.
Please feel free to send your prepared articles to any member of our
newsletter committee or directly to me at 208 Moss St., York, SC 29745.
If writing is not among your favorite things to do, please give one of
us a call with your idea, story or information and well gladly write
it up for you. |
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Letter from the President By Eddie Lee We continue to have interesting programs at our monthly meetings. In June, historian Scott Coleman led us through "Chester In the War Between the States." The July 25 meeting will feature two papers that were recently presented at the Scotch-Irish Symposium. Heather South will share her research on William Martin, and Michael Scoggins will tell us about Alexander Craighead. Both of these men were early ministers in our area. In August, Tiffany Lemberger and her mother Penny will let us see a video of the patriotic performance at Harold C. Johnson Middle School that was supported by our Society. Other items of interest included the inauguration of the new York City Council on July 1. We helped with the refreshments. Margaret Kerbow, chairperson of the by-laws committee, continues to solicit input from our members. Summerfest, and our participation in that event, is approaching...as is our annual Christmas Tour. See President Emeritus Jan Ramsey to help with those projects. And always feel free to offer your suggestions to me. Eddie Lee, 628-6615. |
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Summerfest By Jan Ramsey Itıs almost here again, folks! That great day of fun and celebration will be Saturday, August 24th in historic downtown York. There will be much to do, much to see and plenty to eat! The Society will rent a space from the Chamber of Commerce so we can sell our Rose Hotel ornaments, sun visors, smiley face fans, tee shirts, Yorkville to York books, etc. If you can spare a couple of hours to work at the booth, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make out a schedule for the day. width Contact me at 684-3844 after 6 PM. I hope to see all of you among the estimated 50,000 in Attendance! |
WHAT'S UP DOWNTOWN By Grace Ebersold Kudos to MaryAnna Richbourg, chair of the Downtown Business Association. She has done much to promote downtown York. I understand she will be President of the Chamber next year, so her workload will be doubled. It proves you donıt have to be born in York to love it and work for it. Many of us transplants have deep or deeper feelings for this great town including the new Mayor of York, J. Eddie Lee, who is also our own President of the Yorkville Historical Society. A mural depicting houses, churches and stores in York has been designed by Johnny Wine and yours truly and will be built and attached to the side of the Belk Building along Liberty Street. Prints of this mural will be available at Summerfest and some stores in downtown York. The Downtown Merchants and the Chamber of Commerce are promoting this print. You can call the Chamber at 684-2590 for more information. Downtown York has been getting some terrific press lately, especially the two-page story on June 30th by Karen Bair in the Sunday Herald. It was a great story, colored pictures and written so well that I wanted to hop in the car and go downtown browsing myself. According to Karen, 50% of the business comes from out of town. Letıs do something about lowering that percentage. Surely we can stop downtown to shop before going out of town to find that special gift or even to eat. Letıs all be a little more supportive of the businesses in downtown York. As my late husband, Mel, used to say, "If I don't buy it in York now, down the line I wonıt have that choice to do so." I stopped to peek-in the Sylvia Theater each chance I get. Looks great. Watch for some acts to open on August 9th. I heard through the grapevine that there would possibly be a Grand Opening at or around Summerfest. Watch the papers. After Summerfest the streetscape will be extended an additional block. According to the Heraldıs editorial summary, "York is a model for other cities in renovating its downtown." Wow! "Congratulations to those who had the foresight to initiate this project (that was 6 years ago) ...They are creating a lasting legacy for York residents for generations to come." I also stopped in the Farmers' Market on a Saturday and was pleased with the fresh produce I purchased. Do make it a point to start your weekend shopping on Saturday morning downtown. There were even freshly baked goods for sale!!! Check it out... |
Revolutionary News By Cindy Jonas In the last issue, we listed coming events at Kings Mountain National Military Park. Don't forget about the Banastre Tarleton monologue on August 10 at 7:00 and the 84th Highland Regiment reenactors on September 7. For more information contact Chris Revels at 864-986-7921 or visit the web site at www.nps.gov/kimo . How much do you know about the Battle of Kings Mountain? * Did you know that Col. Patrick Ferguson (who was from Scotland) was the commander of Loyalist troops? * Did you know that Col. Ferguson once had George Washington clearly in his sight and did not shoot him? * Did you know that Col. Ferguson had invented a much more efficient gun that the British commanders refused to use because it was not traditional? * Did you know that Col. Ferguson wore a red-checked shirt during the battle? * Did you know that he had been wounded and could not use one of his arms well? He signaled his troops by use of a silver whistle. (The whistle disappeared after the battle and has never been found.) * Did you know he had two "ladies" with him in camp-both named Virginia? One of them told the Patriots how to identify him by his shirt! * Did you know the History Channel produced an excellent program about Kings Mountain for the series Frontier: The Decisive Battles. It is available for purchase through its website. For those of you who are interested in the history of the Revolution in this area, I would like to recommend a book by Dr. Walter Edgar of the University of South Carolina. Dr. Edgar is recognized nation-wide as an expert on Southern history. In Partisans and Redcoats, he documents a very readable history of the Revolution in the Backcountry. In the introduction to the book, he notes that this part of the war has often been overlooked in history books for two reasons: the Northerners ignored it when they wrote books after the War Between the States, and the Lowcountry writers ignored it because their efforts against the British were not as successful. Isn't it wonderful that there is a renewed interest in the war that gave us our independence and in the contributions of the people from this area? For those of you who buy books for young readers, I would like to recommend a new book by the Second Lady, Lynne Cheney. America: A Patriotic Primer beautifully illustrates American History from A to Z. Although it is written for ages 4-8, my eighteen month old grandson enjoyed looking at the book and was able to find the flag on every page. I hope this book will plant the seeds of patriotism in his young mind and in the minds of many young people across our nation. |
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Laughter is the best medicine... Editors note: The newsletter committee meets face to face only once before the publication of each issue. We rely heavily on email where over 90% of the newsletter is originated, proofed, and polished. Email humor abounds and is forwarded among committee members frequently. We look forward to sharing some of the best with you in each issue of The Times. kes I'm Fine - How are you? There's nothing the matter with me, I'm just as healthy as can be, I have arthritis in both knees, And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze. My pulse is weak, my blood is thin, But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. All my teeth have had to come out, And my diet I hate to think about. I'm overweight and I can't get thin, But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. And arch supports I need for my feet. Or I wouldn't be able to go out in the street. Sleep is denied me night after night, But every morning I find I'm all right. My memory's failing, my head's in a spin. But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. Old age is golden, I've heard it said, But sometimes I wonder, as I go to bed. With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup, And my glasses on a shelf, until I get up. And when sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself, Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf? The reason I know my Youth has been spent, Is my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went! But really I don't mind, when I think with a grin, Of all the places my get-up has been. I get up each morning and dust off my wits, Pick up the paper and read the obits If my name is missing, I'm therefore not dead, So I eat a good breakfast and jump back into bed. The moral of this as the tale unfolds, Is that for you and me, who are growing old. It is better to say "I'm fine" with a grin, Than to let people know the shape we are in. |
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Changing faces, familiar places By Ken Spaulding In our last issue, we discussed a number of local properties which had recently changed ownership, occupancy or usage. In this issue let's discuss some recent facelifts and or interior changes to several of our local landmarks. Kudos to building owner Mike Wiley for the sensitive adaptation of the former Gold Kist building located at the northeast corner of South Congress St. and Galilean Rd. The large block structure was built and used as the local feed and seed store and later used as a discount lumberyard. The northern portion of the building now houses the Western York County Medical Clinic. The bright, spacious interior and the paved, landscaped parking area to the north of the building will certainly serve our community and its citizens well. McCelvey Center on East Jefferson is once again the talk of the town. Since its recent acquisition by the York County Cultural Commission, its grand entry and first floor meeting rooms have all been freshened with a cheerful coat of mellow yellow paint. I certainly don't miss the subdued gray walls and felt that the relocation of the concession area from the main entry to the western hall was a big improvement for patrons and guests of The Yorkville Players' recent production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Letıs hope the YCC keeps to their promises as they retrofit and upgrade this beautiful old building. On North Congress St., work continues on the Sylvia Theater. As it nears completion, one cannot help but get excited about the benefits and the vitality this property could bring to our community. It is very important that each of us support this new enterprise. |
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Tidbits By Grace Ebersold The By-Laws of the Historical Society are in the process of being updated. Margaret Kerbow, Johnny Miller, Scott Hollis and Eddie Lee are the committee of four who are working on this. If you have any changes or ideas for this committee, please put your suggestions in writing and give them to Johnny at Ivy Hill, or MAIL them to Margaret Kerbow, 202 Stoneybrook Dr. York. Margaret is on chemo, so please, no contact visits. She prefers you write. The new York Walking Tour book is off the press, and it is great. They will be available at some of the downtown stores, the Chamber, and the City Hall. If you find any corrections, please note them and give them to Russell Propst (684-1119) so he can correct the next edition. Did you all notice the American flags all through the historic district? They were put up by Steve and Karen Parson. Steve is a REALTOR with Stepp Tuttle, Coldwell Banker. Steve and Karen bought the Mc Connell House in 1998 from Mel and Grace Ebersold. They sold it this year and are now living on North Congress Street across from the Lutheran Church.....it is the yellow house with the picket fence in front. I believe they performed the same service last year. Thank them if you get a chance. It was a very patriotic gesture. The Christmas Tour committee is looking for houses near the downtown area this year. We hope to continue the promotion of downtown York, by having a walking tour using houses nearby. If you would like your house on tour or have some good ideas about the tour, contact Jan Ramsey or Anne Allison. |
Preservation Update By Ken Spaulding In the winter edition (2001-2002 Vol.1: Number 2) of The Palmetto Explorer, The Newsletter of The Palmetto Conservation Foundation, there are many interesting articles concerning preservation activities right here in beautiful South Carolina. Articles concerning tax credits and the Historic Rehabilitation Act (H 3163) are well written and of great interest. Senator John Courson (R-Richland) is quoted as saying,"In fact, the Historic Rehabilitation Incentives Act is actually a tool that will encourage economic development and generate income for South Carolina." For more information on this important legislation or to help lobby for its passage, please visit their web site at www.palmettoconservation.org and click on the Conservation Policy and Education tab. You can also reach this important foundation by telephone in Columbia (803) 771-0870 or Spartanburg (864) 948-9615. |
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Share your pride... By Ken Spaulding Not long ago I had an opportunity in my 'real job' as a REALTOR to meet a young professional couple who had been transferred to Charlotte from sunny Florida. They had a specific idea about what they needed, wanted, and expected in their next house and felt very comfortable with York County. They were impressed by the friendliness of our people, regardless of our diversities, and they savored the distinct ties to the history-rich past. Lunch in the garden at The Garden Cafe was an enjoyable experience. I mentioned the plans for the Sylvia Theater and McCelvey Center, which they found most exciting. They noticed the number of cars parked downtown as well as the well-kept homes and green lawns which we easily take for granted and felt very much at home here. As of this writing they have not yet purchased a home but have zeroed in on this area as the place they hope to live and raise a family... I wonder what would happen if each member of our Society took a friend or a guest to town once a month or shared just an hour or so with someone new to the area...What if we each took the time to say hello or smile at a stranger as we each went about our daily routines... What if we each stopped and had a real conversation with one or more of our neighbors instead of just waving to them. Wouldn't it wonderful to bring back the hospitality and warmth the Old South was known for? We can win the world over one smile at a time... |
Cultural & Heritage Commission CALENDAR OF EVENTS: EXHIBITIONS : Museum of York County (MYCO) AUGUST 24 - OCTOBER 5 VERNON GRANT AUGUST 31 - JANUARY 5 HISTORICAL LOOK AT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS SATURDAY SAMPLERS: MYCO- 10 AM AUG. 17 - CATS! SEPT. 21 SCOTCH- IRISH GAMES OCTOBER 19 - RHYTHM OF LIFE CURATOR CORNER MYCO 10AM SEPT. 7 BONING UP ON THE PAST OCT. 5 - SCARECROW MAKING LIVING HISTORY DAYS BRATTONSVILLE 10-AM - 4PM JULY 27 - ANTEBELLUM AUGUST 24 - COLONIAL SEPT. 14 - APPLE HARVEST DAY SEPT. 28 -PIONEER DAY PRESERVATION WORKSHOP McCELVEY CENTER 10 AM SEPT. 21 PRESERVING BOOKS AND PAPERS OCT 19 - PRESERVING PHOTOGRAPHS SPECIAL EVENTS AUGUST 24 -WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER - MYCO McCELVEY - OCT. 19 CANTUS - A CAPELLA VOCAL CHOIR BRATTONSVILLE OCT. 12 10-4 RED HILLS CRAFT DAY |