Bamberg District One has Handwriting Without Tears workshop

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

“Teaching handwriting to a child does not have to be rocket science,” is the main idea that Tania Ferrandino, a former Occupational Therapist from England wanted to get over to a group of Bamberg School District One K-5th Grade teachers in a “Handwriting Without Tears” workshop on Wednesday, August 4, in the Richard Carroll Elementary School Mini-Gym.

Ferrandino showed and modeled several interactive ways for the teachers to teach their students writing skills through singing, dancing, banging and waving wooden sticks and moving around the gym.

Studies show, and many educators agree, that students who handwrite well do better overall in school. Even in this digital age, this fundamental skill is the primary way students communicate with teachers. Additionally, many standardized tests including the SAT have handwritten essay sections. It was noted during the workshop that as much as 90 percent of all teachers were not taught how to teach writing to their students when they were in college.

“Teaching handwriting is a as simple as teaching a child to move his or hand across a sheet of paper,” Ferrandino said.

The Handwriting Without Tears workshop was one of four workshops made available to Bamberg School District One teachers through a $50,000 Learning Outcomes Grant written by District Occupational Therapist Elizabeth Weaver and District One Teacher Stephanie Mitchell.

Schuetzenfest...Week of fun

Pansy Clayton, Ehrhardt Correspondent

The Schuetzenfest Hunter’s Festival was held August, 15-21st. This year’s theme for the festival and the Memory Book was “Parade of 34 Former Queens from 1976-2009.”

"The Schuetzenfest Parade just gets better and better every year," said Hallman Sease."

The proceeds from the Schuetzenfest Festival goes to help buy items and equipment that are needed for the town. This past year the money helped pay for the Jaws of Life which was demonstrated on Main Street this weekend.

Hunters Boost Economy

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

Bamberg, Allendale, Union and Anderson were top counties for deer harvest in 2009 with each of these counties exhibiting harvest rates in excess of 15 deer per square mile.

With deer season open August, 15 on private land only in Game Zone 6. South Carolina has one of the longest deer seasons than other states. This gives hunters local and out of state the opportunity to harvest a buck in velvet.

“Blessed with incredible natural bounty and beauty, Bamberg, S.C. is one of the best counties in the state to come and hunt, Compton said. “This is a boost for local business's , restaurants, convenient stores , and land owners. Most of all hunters feel welcome and love this area and the people.”