Chamber of Commerce ‘Citizen of the Year’ nominees

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Three prominent residents of Bamberg County are this year’s finalist to be honored as the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. The three finalists will be recognized with one being chosen citizen of the year at the annual Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Banquet to be held this year on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. on the campus of Voorhees College in Denmark.

Harvey Kling is a World War II combat veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a professional baseball player in the Cincinnati Reds Organization. A recipient of the Old Friends Gray Jacket as Honorary Chair and he was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent by Governor Mark Sanford. Currently and for 19 years with the Bamberg County American Red Cross in various responsibilities, for the last 10 years he has served as executive director.

A choir member in his church, he is also a member of the Bamberg County Chorale and a member of the Bamberg Apollo Music Club. Kling is a member of the Bamberg Men’s Golf Association and works with Junior Golfers during Old Friends Week.

William H. Nimmons, Sr. a former educator for many years also served on the Bamberg County Council for 28 years, presiding as council chairperson numerous times. While on county council, he was instrumental in creating the Bamberg County Handy Ride Program as well as the Olar-Govan Middle Place Regional Water System. Nimmons was also instrumental in getting the Voorhees Job Training One-Stop Center in Denmark through the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG). He is a charter member of the Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority at the Savannah River Site. He also helped initiate the Bamberg County Litter Control Program and was instrumental in getting the Bamberg County Animal Shelter (MAMAS) established.

Jim Kemp is a lifelong resident of Bamberg County. He served as chairman and gathered sponsors for the annual Punt, Pass and Kick contest for several years when Bamberg County lost its Ford Dealership, who had previously sponsored the youth program. He also coached in the Bamberg County Youth Football, Baseball, Basketball and Soccer programs. Eighteen years ago Kemp started the Winn Clary Memorial Golf Tournament which assists Bamberg County residents with the non-medical expenses of their sick children. He is currently in his second year as President of the Bamberg- Ehrhardt Booster Club. Kemp serves as chairman of the First Baptist Church Wheelchair Ramps Ministry Program and serves as chaperone for youth in the Salkehatchie Summer Mission Camp.

Bingo for Meals

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Proceeds from Bingo to support Meals on Wheels. Drastic times call for drastic measures. After having experienced a $1.6 million statewide budget cut and having to discontinue 18 people from its Meals on Wheels program and facing another $1.3 million cut effective October 1, and having to discontinue 11 more needy people; the Bamberg County Office On Aging has had to come up with some innovative ways to continue funding its meals program (an all volunteer program) for those 60 years old and older and who maybe disabled, paraplegic, quadriplegic, mentally handicapped or have no other contact with family members in Bamberg County.

“We need help,” said Kay Clary, who has been at the Office on Aging for eight years and who on August 1, became the agency’s new director. Before the state budget cuts the Office on Aging was serving 120 nutritional meals per day to clients in the county. Since the cuts that number has been reduced to 85. Clary said that working at the Office on Aging has given her a whole new perspective.

“It’s opened up a whole different new world to me. I never knew that there were people in Bamberg County without transportation and didn’t have family to come in and visit them. It makes you realize how blessed we are.”

On October 8, at 7:00pm in the Bamberg Civic Center the Meals on Wheels program for Bamberg County through the Bamberg County Office on Aging will sponsor a Bingo Night. All proceeds from the event will go to support the Meals on Wheels program of Bamberg County. Cash prizes and Cash Cover-All will be awarded. The cost is .50 per card and snacks and other refreshments will also be for sale.

Advertizer-Herald Donates

Once a year the Advertizer- Herald donates money to an organization in Bamberg County that supports a worthy cause.

"This year after speaking with Enid Bishop, director of The Cheeze and Cracker Box, I knew where I would be making my donation. Bamberg County is very fortunate to have this organization and even more fortunate to have Enid Bishop," said Searson.

“The Cheeze and Cracker Box still needs food. We don’t mind what it is, we can use it,” Bishop said.

Pumpkin Patch

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

The pumpkin truck is scheduled to arrive at the Pumpkin Patch across from the railroad berm directly across from Trinity UMC on Saturday, October 9 at 8 a.m. and the patch will open for business around 10 a.m.

Trinity’s Pumpkin Patch gets their pumpkins from a Navajo Reservation near Farmington, New Mexico, through Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc. a North Carolina non-profit organization.

For over 25 years Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc. has offered a no-risk fundraising opportunity for churches and non-profit organizations. Last fall Fundraisers shipped over 5.5 million pumpkins—enough pumpkins piled one on top of the other to reach the International Space Station orbiting 240 miles above the earth's surface...and back .