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I want to tell the Society that it has been a pleasure to serve as president during the last four years. As I reflect on all the wonderful and informative programs we have shared, I am satisfied with the progress that our organization has made. From my perspective, the society is in solid shape. Our finances are sound, and our membership is up. The Ebersold Clock is just another example of what this Society can do! Our meetings are well-attended, and our periodic meals together are always enjoyable. You have been committed to seeing us grow, and I have been honored to serve two terms as president. We all built upon Jan Ramsey's accomplishments, and our next president will build upon what we have done since 2000. Scott Hollis, Jan, and I will be meeting soon to make recommendations to the membership for 2004-2005 officers. Please step forward and serve in a key leadership position, if you have the time! By the way, our October meeting will feature a program by me which I presented recently to York's Thursday Afternoon Book Club: "A Preview of 2004 in the City of York." I love being your mayor...and it's been great serving as President of the Yorkville Historical Society! |
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Editorially Speaking Ken Spaulding What a warm and busy summer this has been for all of us. Many of us enjoyed beach vacations and Vacation Bible School, while some of us even made trips back home when school was not in session. I, for one, was certainly happy to get back home to York and back to my church, social, and community commitments, including this newsletter of which I am understandably very, very proud. The Mel Ebersold Clock Project continues to grow and has taken on almost a life of its own over the last few months. Both the auction and the yard sale were very successful, and the generous donations from groups and individuals continue to humble and amaze the members of the Clock Committee. We know that this is a very worthwhile cause and can hardly wait until the clock arrives and is placed in its rightful place on Congress Street. This is an update on the progress of the clock: Mary Anna Richbourg of Etta Belle Zorries in York is holding the annual Christmas Ornament Invitational on Friday, November 21 from 6 to 8 PM. The proceeds from this awesome annual charitable event will go to the clock fund this year. Make plans now to attend. The Clock Committee has already started collecting things for the spring auction. York Mini Warehouse has graciously allowed us to continue to use one of their storage units to store the items as we collect them, rent-free. I was amazed at the beautiful and valuable items we have already been given. There is an oversized Fostoria American Pattern punch bowl with glass ladle and numerous punch cups, a French Provincial book case desk, a glass-door hutch, several beautiful mirrors, a large collection of china and glass horses, and a super collection of antique demitasse cups and saucers, plus many other neat and unusual items already in storage waiting for the spring auction. Contact Ken at 628-1818 or Jan at 684-3844 (after 6) if you have things to donate. We will even pick them up for you. All donations are tax deductible. Thanks to your support and wonderful donations last year, we raised over $4,000 from live and silent auction donations alone. We hope to exceed that benchmark this time around. We have also received over $8,000 in individual, community, and corporate donations. The Clock Committee is researching the various clock vendors, and some of the committee members have enjoyed a lot of very meaningful dialogue with several manufacturers and clock purchasers. We have discovered that town clocks are almost a separate industry unto themselves! We have been working with the Verdin Clock Company on and off for over six years now. George and Louise Sensing have been extremely patient and always very supportive. I personally hope that their efforts culminate in the purchase of a Verdin Clock. Hopefully we will be successful in selecting a clock vendor and actually placing the order for the clock with in the next few weeks. Most of the companies are requesting 2-3 months to build, prepare, and deliver the clock. We are still planning to formally dedicate our clock on Monday, March 22, 2004, in honor of Mel’s birthday. We will keep you posted of our progress as we move along. It’s time for our clock!!! |
| CONGRATULATIONS! The Mel Ebersold Memorial Clock has been ORDERED! Jan Ramsey The Yorkville Historical Society Clock Committee wishes to thank each and every one of you for your unbelievable generosity and support over the last eight months of our clock fundraising campaign. On Thursday September 25,2003 a vote was cast and unanimously approved by the general membership of YHS to order the clock from the Verdin Clock Co. We have collected and have on deposit $12,158.28. An additional $1,000.00 has been pledged by Arvin Meritor and there is an additional $100.00 in checks that need re-endorsed for deposit. At the end of the meeting our newest “Yorkie”, Ernie Ulbrecht, Grace’s husband and Mel’s college roommate agreed to donate an additional $1,000.00 to the clock fund! (Thank you Ernie!!!) That brings the total collected or promised to an amazing $14,258.28. The Verdin Clock Company’s winning proposal was $15,390.00 putting us only $1,131.72 shy of the clocks purchase price. Additional funds will be needed to have a base for the clock to be anchored, provide power for the clock to operate and provide fitting memorials to both Mel and the multitude of families and friends who worked so diligently to bring this clock to our little town. Even our Verdin representatives, George and Louise Senenig, gave generously, eliminating their well earned commissions to secure the competitive bid that will bring the Verdin Clock to its rightful place on Congress Street. Mark your calendars now for the dedication and reception on Monday March 22, 2004. We may also hold another auction that evening and have already collected some really neat items to sell. The Clock Committee will complete the planning of that event right after the Holidays. Etta Belle’s Christmas Ornament Invitational will also benefit the Clock Fund this year. It will be open on Friday November 21 and run through Christmas Eve. Plan now to attend. After March 22, 2004 we will always know what time it is in York South Carolina: It is time for our town clock! |
| The Verdin Clock Co. Ken Spaulding Hello! It has been a genuine pleasure working with George and Louise Senesing and your company in regard to the purchase of the York Town Clock. We are all looking forward to our clocks arrival early next year. Attached please find the signed proposal and our down payment check in the amount of $7,695 per your contract. We have made arrangements with the City of York to have the clock delivered to Charles Helms, Director of Public Works, 9 Roosevelt St. York SC 29745. Charles can be reached at (803) 684-2341. Please forward a statement and any further communication to my attention: Ken Spaulding, 208 Moss St. York SC 29745. If there are any questions concerning this order please contact Jan Ramsey (704) 861-0938, Grace Ulbrecht (803) 684-2822 or Ken Spaulding (803) 628-1818. It is critically important that the clock be delivered on time. A formal dedication, reception and ‘last hurrah fundraiser’ are scheduled for Monday March 22, 2004. This was also the honorees birthday. Please feel free to contact me if there are any questions, ideas or concerns. Email is quickest. Ken Spaulding marciken@bellsouth.net. Telephone (803) 628-1818. Wishing you continued happiness and success. |
| ABOUT GROWING OLDER... Grace Ebersold First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. |
| Be An Encourager By Cindy Jonas How much do you know about what goes on in a school during any given day? Do you have children or grandchildren who are going to school, hopefully to learn as much as they can? I would like to challenge you to become an encourager for young people. Whether it is your child, grandchild, or a neighbor, stop them and ask about what they are studying in school. Many of you know a great deal about history and would be a wonderful resource for these students. A challenge that I face each year is when my students tell me they don’t need to learn history. I even had one tell me this year that his daddy said he didn’t care whether he learned his history or not-he said he took history in school and had never used it. What a shame! Americans are notorious for not knowing their history. Those of you who have traveled to other countries know that they are proud of their histories and can tell visitors about it. Teachers cannot win the battle alone. We need the support of parents, grandparents, and others who will help us instill a love of and respect for our country and for its history. Citizenship in the United States carries with it a number of rights. However, as I teach my students, with every right there is a responsibility. It is our responsibility as adults to be good role models in learning and in exhibiting good citizenship for our young people. |
| Collecting Today By Ken Spaulding It is almost impossible to imagine that spring, summer, and even some of fall are already safely behind us and that it is now full speed ahead into the Christmas and holiday Season. I love the hustle and bustle of all the holiday activities and annual traditions. I enjoy meeting and greeting both family members and friends and catching up on their lives and livelihoods. Choosing the perfect gift or gifts for family members and friends has always been a big issue for many people that I know, and our family is certainly no exception. We solved the dilemma many, many years ago by buying antiques and collectibles for most of the members of our immediate family. Usually we start buying again right after Christmas and continue until the gifts are given the following Christmas. We attend antique shows and sales, auctions, and garage sales as often as time permits and search the Internet on a continual basis. Even my eight-year-old son does his shopping early. This practice has allowed us to stretch our budgets a little further by paying as we go and has enabled us to find some really unusual items. My sister-in-law collects pincushions or half dolls and has an extensive collection. I found a beautiful Egyptian half doll on EBay last year and was able to “win” the doll in early September. There wasn’t another doll even close to it in her collection when she opened her gifts on Christmas Day. Missy was elated. My mother-in-law started a collection of bird prints several years ago. She has a long, large, central hall with a beautiful staircase in her Liberty Street century home where she has been hanging them. They look incredible and there is lots of room to expand this collection. We picked up several framed bird pictures on a recent trip back to Ohio this fall. I just bought a beauty at the thrift store, an unframed flying eagle which will appear nicely framed under her tree this Christmas. My initial twenty-five cent investment will certainly carry its weight in fruitcake or mincemeat pies! Nearly everyone that I know collects something. Many times I have been very surprised to learn what person collected and even more surprised when I learned how the collection was started. A few years ago, I casually mentioned that I had raised bantam chickens as a young boy. I saw a stuffed hen on the nest that reminded me of one of my own hens at an antique mall that I thought I just “had to have,” so I bought it. That particular Christmas and for several holidays that followed I was barraged with chicken collectibles! I received a beautiful stained glass chicken lamp, knitted chicken handicrafts, ceramic chicken figures, and all sorts of chicken-based memorabilia. The joke was certainly on me! Luckily I was able to find other homes for most of my flock. Every now and then another one surfaces from its hiding place in a seldom-opened drawer or from the dark recesses of our bulging attic. There are even a couple of them proudly on permanent display in our overcrowded home. A cute collectible moment occurred earlier this year when Grace Ebersold’s then-fiancé, Ernie, was helping us prepare our “goodies” for the clock yard sale. Grace has collected angels for many, many years and had donated a boxful of “lesser angels” for the yard sale. Ernie opened the box and his jaw dropped almost to his knees. “Honey! Look at all these angels! Shall I get them out for you to see?” “I sent them,” Grace stoically replied. Ernie heaved a big sigh of relief and said, “That was a good idea. I am so glad that we don’t have to make any more room for any more of them.” I just couldn’t help myself when I found a pair of large, black, kissing-angels among some things we purchased recently. You guessed it!!! The angels were nicely wrapped and packaged and sent to Ernie and Grace in honor of their marriage. Please keep collecting in mind as you complete your Christmas and holiday shopping this year. As for the chickens you may run across—please leave them where you find them. Our home is almost a chicken-free zone! |
| Summerfest 2003 By Jan Ramsey Summerfest Saturday dawned as an overcast and muggy August day. The weather forecast was for possible thunderstorms, a dreaded prediction for an outdoor festival. Ken Spaulding and I were at the Society’s reserved space on York’s Congress Street at 7:30 AM to put up the tent and arrange items that would be for sale. By mid-morning, the sun came out in all its glory. The temperature soared into the 90s and stayed there. Smiley face fans and sun visors began to disappear off the table. The crowd became larger and everyone seemed to enjoy the events going on around them. The society made $325 and took in one new member. Many thanks go to the volunteers and to Ken Spaulding for the use of his tent. Now we must concentrate on the clock project and the upcoming Christmas tour. Time flies when you are having fun!!! |
| Christmas in Olde York By Jan Ramsey The 2003 Historical Home Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, from 4 to 8 PM and Sunday, December 14, from 3 to 7 PM. Five houses and the York Place Chapel will be open for the tour. All are located on Kings Mountain Street. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 the weekend of the tour. You may contact the Greater York Chamber of Commerce at 684-2590 for tickets and information. Society members are encouraged to attend the tour and to bring a friend. We all need to promote this event so it can be successful. Last year, a few days before the tour, we were hit with a wind and ice storm that resulted in power outages throughout the city. I certainly hope the weather cooperates this year! Planning meetings are already being held. The tour committee consists of Jan Ramsey, Anne Allison, Russell Propst, Deborah Wood, and Betty Sawyer. If you would like to join us, contact Jan at 684-3844 after 6 PM or Anne at 684-6088. |
| What’s a Dead Man Doing on our Stage? By Ken Spaulding You won’t want to miss the fall production of our own Yorkville Players as they unravel the myriad plots of love, spies, and romance at the historic McCelvey Center. The Red Herring by Michael Hollinger opens on Thursday, October 16 at 8 PM for a two-week run. You’ll marvel at the talents of your neighbors and friends, many of them “Yorkies,” as they portray a diverse and unusual cast of characters. The play is set in the early 50s. Ike is running for President…It seems like almost everybody is romancing everybody else and there’s a serious crime or two to be solved. Even your own editor takes his place behind the footlights. The Yorkville Players and the Young Yorkville Players are certainly among York’s unsung treasures. You’ll enjoy professional-caliber performances at a fraction of the uptown costs. I’ve never stood in line to buy a ticket, and every seat in the magnificent auditorium is a great one at a very affordable price. Try it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your night on our town. |
| Congratulations Grace and Ernie! Ken Spaulding The Yorkville Historical Society wishes to congratulate Grace Ebersold and Ernest Ulbrecht on their August 30th wedding. The afternoon ceremony was held at the First Presbyterian Church in York with the Rev. J. Todd Speed officiating. Grace’s granddaughter, Gretchen Coady’s beautiful solos highlighted the simple, reverent ceremony. The bride and groom were both radiant. Following the service, an outdoor reception was held at the family compound on Cedar Grove Road. Grace and Ernie requested that, in lieu of gifts, donations be made to the Mel Ebersold Clock Fund. Everyone knows and loves Grace, who is a very active member of this Society and the York community at large. She is also a very talented artist. Ernie was a college roommate of Graces’ late husband, Mel. The families remained in contact over the years. Grace contacted Ernie about the Clock Project and romance blossomed. Ernie, a lifelong Indiana resident, didn’t hesitate when Grace asked him to join her in sunny York, South Carolina. Once in York, Grace initiated his help with the various clock, church, and community projects she is involved in and for Ernie, there was no turning back. He sold his home in Indiana, joined the First Presbyterian Church in York, packed his ham radio equipment, and is looking forward to many years of good health and happiness here among the “Yorkies.” Even Grace’s tenacious dog, “Duchess,” has welcomed Ernie into her home. We wish Grace and Ernie continued happiness and look forward to their continued involvement in our community. |
| What's Up Downtown By Grace Ebersold Ulbricht York’s downtown surprised me again when I checked out all the new stores. I have been downtown but only to run into the stores I need - I haven't been "checking around". We need to do that more often - Just meander up and down the street and see what is happening. And don't forget Liberty Street. That has really turned the corner (pardon the pun). I was surprised and thrilled to see a Dress Shop again in York right down Liberty Street…almost to the old POST OFFICE. Sommer Latham has opened THE DRESS SHOP just this month. She sells women's dresses and casual clothing, handbags, scarves, and some lovely jewelry. I like her choice of apparel. She carries something for each of us. I spotted a few things I wanted, purchased a blouse, and sent my USC granddaughters in to browse on Saturday. They also were impressed. She is open M-F 10-6 Sat. 9-4. Great hours. Even office people can stop on their way home from work. Stop By!!!! Next door, Shannon Smith has moved her SEW AND SEW shop from Congress Street. She also has a new area - selling purses. She calls it PRISSY'S BAGS. Her worktable has to be over nine feet long and is the most ornate oak table I have ever seen. It is worth going in just to admire this antique. You will like her work. Try to find her in her shop most mornings until noon. BEEHIVES AND BUTTERFLIES, the Hospice Gift and Resale store, is next door and doing very well. Finding a gift here in York is a piece of cake. Such a variety…pottery, candles, artwork, garden accessories…you name it. It is all here. I wandered down Congress Street and visited the HUMMINGBIRD FOREST, formerly Neely's Drugstore). I spotted lotions, gels, candles, baby gifts, birdhouses, gift baskets and, of course, beautiful silk flower arrangements. Some are just ready to put into the standard permanent flower holder in the cemetery. (I like that). The phones were ringing off the wall; it was a busy morning here and I can understand why. I like the work going on here. Don't forget her when you are planning a wedding, bridal shower, or baby shower. Her hours are M-F 9-5:30 and Sat 9-3. Ann Morrison runs this store. I turned into THE ALLEY and visited that store. You know it really was an alley years and years ago so it is very aptly named. Bruce and Debbie Sovine own this store. It has an old general store motif selling local handcrafted items, custom furniture, Fiestaware, Fenton glass, candles, lamps, and collectibles. They are very friendly in this store and are open M-F 11-6 and Sat 10-6. My next stop was to revisit FRANK’S JEWELRY STORE. We discussed the difference in the two towns of Clover and York regarding shopping. His hours are M-F 9-5:30 and Sat 9-4:30 and closed on Tuesdays. He was open earlier but business in York first starts about 10 am while Clover is up and at 'em by 8:30. Also Clover is a Saturday shopping town while York is not. Interesting how these two towns differ but are only a few miles apart. His business is good. He sells lovely gifts here besides the jewelry. The COTTON GIN was not open that afternoon. Their hours are Wed 4-12, Th-Fr, 4-2, Sat 4-12. O'SHEA’S IRISH PUB was open and busy. Their hours are M-W 11-12, Th-Fr 11-2, Sat 11-12. I always stop and visit Johnny Wine at the FRAME SHOP while I am in town. Both he and MaryAnna at ETTA BELLE ZORRIES told me that the Body Shop was new. New? YORK BODY SHOP has been on McNeill Street forever. No, I was told Julian Dickerson owns the building but he closed and rented it to DIVERSIFIED SIGNS. Now, I remember….How could I forget them? They grew, moved out, and built a new place off of 321 and they did the entire cutting for The Mural. Sure enough, a new YORK BODY SHOP sign is up and I went in to see. Julian was also there visiting. He said he ran the shop for 40 years. 1955-95…How about that? David Meares and Billy Bolin are running this new shop. They do body repair, collision repair, and painting, of course. You are right that he is Mark Meares’s brother. I told him that if he did work as well as his brother (my Honda is an example…someone sideswiped my car while it was parked last Christmas), he would do well. David laughed and said, "I taught my brother everything he knows.” York is very lucky to have two Meares brothers to work on their dents. By the way, the telephone number there is 684-5551. |