Saturday, May 30, 2020

How the virus changed my street - for the better

Amelie and her sister, Camille, watch from their front window as the lockdown enters its third week along with their parents, Victoria and Damian Kerr, in Berkhamsted on April 4. Victoria and Damian are both working full time from home but are enjoying the chance the lockdown has given them to spend more time together as a family despite its challenges.

BERKHAMSTED, England - I've been living on my street for about 10 years, in a little market town outside London called Berkhamsted. In a very English way, I knew almost nothing about my neighbors. Everyone kept to their own business. My street is …

Author, professor urges gardeners to form 1 big 'national park'

Seen is a photo in Douglas Tallamy's book "Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard" of Monarch butterflies in the University of Delaware Botanical Garden in Newark. Tallamy, a professor at the University of Delaware, doesn't just want you to embrace native plants in your yard or on your patio; he wants everyone to see their patches of land as part of a giant quilt.

Imagine if all the back and front yards - and even patio container plants - across the country were seen as one magnificent patchwork quilt, a "Homegrown National Park." Home gardeners would join forces to bring back a variety of native plants to …

Couples turn to 'minimonies' to salvage wedding plans

Kate Whiting and Jake Avery are seen on Feb. 6, soon after Avery proposed in Nevada's Ruby Mountains. The two had been planning a 300-person wedding but decided to marry June 6 in their backyard, with a big party after the coronavirus pandemic settles.

NEW YORK - Couples trying to salvage weddings put on hold by the coronavirus are feeding a fresh trend in the bridal industry: the "minimony." Rather than wait, they're getting hitched alone or with a few local loved ones looking on at a safe …

Pandemic gives Sumter mom of 4 in college 'gift' of extra time together

The Wilsons pose for a family photograph a couple weeks ago amid the pandemic. From left are Mark, Andy, Tim, Becky, Rachel and James.

All our coronavirus coverage is free to the public. It’s the right thing to do as a public service to our community. If you find this article helpful or informative and want to support our …

May Yards of the Month named

PHOTOS PROVIDED The Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter recognizes May Yards of the Month. ABOVE: The business honored is Sumter Family Dental, 852 W. Liberty St. BELOW: Gail and John Ford, 23 Swan Lake Drive, are the honored homeowners.

Food

Lightlife Smart Sausages are displayed at a store in Jersey City, New Jersey, in September 2018.

Should you avoid meat for good health?

Hangovers happen as your body tries to protect itself from alcohol's toxic effects

This combination of images provided by Amanda Daley shows mockups of a soft drink can and a chocolate candy bar with labels for "exercise calories," or the amount of physical activity needed to burn them off. Daley, a professor of behavioral medicine at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, says, "They may still ignore it, but let's give it a go. Let's at least give them a chance to be able to easily understand."

What if you knew a cookie would take 20 minutes to run off?

Kim and Jeff Borghoff pose at a fundraising event for the Alzheimer's Association. For Kim and her family, keeping a tradition of Sunday meals helped maintain a sense of normalcy as her husband, Jeff, and his father were simultaneously struggling with Alzheimer's disease.

Sharing a family meal can help those with dementia connect

TV personality Ree Drummond posing for a portrait to promote her new cookbook "The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier: 112 Fantastic Favorites for Everyday Eating."

'Pioneer woman' sticks to her groove with new cookbook

Panorama

Foreign adoptions by U.S. families drop by more than a quarter

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of foreign children adopted by U.S. parents fell by more than one-quarter last year, extending a 15-year decline, according to State Department figures released …

High-tech growing systems bring joy of gardening to those without outdoor space

Traditionally, growing your own herbs and veggies was reserved for those with the luxury of outdoor space …
See live stream of The Seat of Justice free online during Easter weekend

CLARENDON COUNTY - The year was 1947. A black farmer, Levi Pearson, was living in the Davis Station …
Need some new sounds during quarantine? Sumter musicians celebrate John Denver with CD featuring hits, 'obscure' songs

Local musician and producer Kevin Jarvis has been a lifelong admirer of the late John Denver, so his …
Crafts can help refugees find community, maybe a living

By MOLLY SPRAYREGEN Associated Press When Bahija Karim arrived in Idaho as an Afghan refugee in …
Sumter Civic Dance Company celebrates 40 years

There's a not-so-secret code in Dance Vision 2020 and a surprise in Sumter Civic Dance Company's concert …

Reception, book signing with Cecil J. Williams to be held March 31 at Sumter County Museum

SUBMITTED BY AMANDA COX Sumter County Museum Community contributor "Unforgettable: …
Recognizing 120 'Women of Honor' in Sumter

It's been 40 years since President Jimmy Carter officially designated the first week of March as …
Club Digest: The Sumter Art Association

The Sumter Art Association The Sumter Art Association met at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the Parish …
Author of The South Carolina State Hospital: Stories from Bull Street to hold talk, book signing at Sumter County Museum

SUBMITTED BY AMANDA COX Sumter County Museum Community contributor The Sumter County …

Engagements

Jackson-Von Minden Mr. and Mrs. Brian Paul Jackson of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Sara Ashlee Jackson of Sumter, to Mr. Garrett Richard Von Minden of Hilton Head Island, son of Ms. Laura Von Minden of Hilton Head Island and Mr. Richard Von …

Noonan- Robinson Dr. and Mrs. William Thomas Noonan Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Riley Elizabeth Noonan, to Mr. James Matthew Robinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ronald Robinson, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. …

Horton-Parshley Rusty and Vermell Green of Turbeville announce the engagement of their granddaughter, Sierra Horton of Turbeville, to Dustin Parshley of New Zion, son of Jennifer Parshley of New Zion and the late Jeremiah "Jay" Parshley.The bride-elect is the …

Tolbert, Ramirez-Garcia Mr. and Mrs. Will Tolbert announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Marie Tolbert, to Adrian Ramirez-Garcia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Ramirez-Rivera, all of Sumter. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. …

Celebrations

Verburgs celebrate 50 years of marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles Verburg of Sumter celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. They were married on Feb. 6, 1970. Their four children are Susan Verburg of Ann Arbor, Michigan, June and Steve Williamson of Mapleton, …

Weddings

Affronti-McCabe Miss Elizabeth Anne Affronti of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mr. Griffin Nolan McCabe of Manning were united in marriage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, in a front yard ceremony at 2185 Bethel Church Road. The Rev. Neil DuBose …

Mayle-Scott Miss Stephanie Nicole Mayle of Sumter and Mr. Anthony Miles Scott of Rembert were united in marriage at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Mileston at the Pond. The bride is the daughter of Cheryll Elizabeth Mayle of Lakeland, Florida, and Mr. …

Atkinson-Goodson KINGSTREE - Bailey Keels Atkinson of Kingstree and Louis Hayes Goodson of Sumter were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the home of the bride. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Chance Atkinson of …

Hendrix-Robinson COLUMBIA - Emily Francis Hendrix of Sumter and Rob Mackenzie Robinson of Winnsboro were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, at Millstone at Adam's Pond. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ivan Hendrix of Sumter …

Wright-Armfield COLUMBIA - Lauren Ashley Wright of Summerville and Roger McSwain Armfield II of Sumter were united in marriage at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Shandon United Methodist Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Brian …

Faith

Christ Community Church, at 320 Loring Mill Road, had its first in-person services Sunday, May 24, since the coronavirus shutdown.

A return to the pew in Sumter

All our coronavirus coverage is free to the public. It’s the right thing to do as a public service to our community. If you find this article helpful or informative and want to support our …

What's the answer to having church again?

In the past month, I received several emails asking, "When are we going to have church again?" Some of …
Slowed down but still not patient

I am not a patient person; few people are. On a scale of one to 10, my urgency is in the high 90s. Being …
Fox in the neighborhood is trying to survive

Gina and I were coming home from a visit with family after dark. It had been a long trip, and we were …
Small signs of hope

This week I drove past a mom and her three small children riding bikes on the sidewalk. The mom was …
Stop overlooking the obvious during this pandemic

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the Sherlock Holmes series, once said, "There is nothing more …

Your body is a gift

We are thinking about our bodies these days. More than ever we're conscious of touch, cough and …
Do not let the weak die

I saw a video clip of a news reporter in Tennessee, giving details of a protest on the steps of the …
April 13 tornado leaves 1965 note on porch 90 miles away

CROSS - When Sherrie Sedgwick woke up to news of a tornado on the morning of April 13, she walked …
The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith: Coping with quarantine

It feels like Day 2,132 of quarantine. In reality, it's been only a few weeks. We've all had to …

Yesteryear

Passing before their home away from home, the class of the NCO Leadership School performs precision drills under the guidance of Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Kervin on Aug. 18, 1970.

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Flag pole dedicated on Tricentennial Week; Pinewood hosts Possum Trot Fest for 2nd year

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Dec. 14 - Dec. 20 - December checks for distribution in Sumter County to needy persons receiving public assistance are being mailed from the state public welfare office in time to be received early this week, it is …

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Morris seeks books to help with accreditation; Tuomey is smoke free

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Dec. 7 - 15 - Fourteen officers and men aboard five Navy torpedo bombers …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Car captured in Germany displayed; Red Baron pizza planes visit Sumter

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Nov. 30 - Dec. 6 - A 1937 Ford belonging to a Shaw Field soldier caught fire on …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Yates is 1st woman candidate in Sumter in decades; 'Mr. Music' honored

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Nov. 23 - Nov. 29 - Fire Chief E. H. Lynam alerted Sumter residents to the fire …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: 'Very best observer in the American Army' honored; Summerthing program draws record attendance

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Nov. 16 - Nov. 22 - The formation of the Dixie Life Insurance Co., a locally …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: 5,000 attend bass fishing derby fest; Baker Street oak cut down

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Nov. 9 - Nov. 15 - South Carolina's current crop may be the third smallest in …

Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Buddy Poppy sale benefits veterans, dependents; Poinsett gets facelift

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Nov. 2 - Nov. 8 - The air force marked up a second try victory for its …
YESTERYEAR BY SAMMY WAY: Troop trains give Sumter positive reviews; city plans for 'garbage explosion'

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Oct. 26 - Nov. 1 - America's transportation system will consist mainly of …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Swan Lake bridge construction underway; Bradford competes at Classic

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Oct. 19 - Oct. 25 - Decay-producing organisms remain alive for many …
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Red Cross Canteen members greet every troop train; 'puff mud' found

75 YEARS AGO - 1945 Oct. 12 - Oct. 18 - Four air bases in the two Carolinas, including Shaw …

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