Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

The Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce presented its 38th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday evening December 2nd, on the Bamberg County Courthouse grounds. Bamberg County Council Chairman Chris Wilson flipped the switch shortly after 6:00 pm lighting this year’s Christmas tree following a welcome by Bamberg Mayor Alton McCollum and Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Co-President Jerry Bell and an Invocation by Pastor C.A. Murray of The Light of the World Baptist Church.

The Christmas message was delivered by First Baptist Church of Bamberg Pastor Charlie Lucas. His message was centered around the Christmas story of Christ being born in a stable, because there was “no room in the inn” for him to be born. “He was born in a stable, a place none of us would’ve wanted to stay,” Pastor Lucas said.

The Pastor noted after 2000 years of history not a lot has changed, with people not having room for Christ in their lives today. He stated that during the most recent political campaign, Christ’s name was barely mentioned at all. “There is still no room in our lives for Jesus, the Prince of Peace isn’t mentioned as a part of the campaign.” Pastor Lucas said that people are “so busy” with the things of Christmas that there is no time for the one whom Christmas should be all about.

“Jesus Christ made room for us. He emptied his life to make room for us. Are you making room for Him? He emptied Himself to come to us. The real miracle of Christmas is that Christ came to us,” Pastor Lucas said.

Also during the program on Sunday evening Mac Davis performed several selections on his guitar including, “Mary did you know?” and “Silent Night.” Trinity United Methodist Church of Bamberg Music Director David Whitaker led the audience in singing a number of Christmas Carols.

The program ended with closing remarks by Bamberg Chamber of Commerce Co-President Jerry Bell and the Benediction by Rev. Murray of The Light of the World Baptist Church.

Bamberg County Christmas Parades

Mallory D. Biering, Staff Reporter

Bamberg Christmas Parade

December the 1st happened to be a very eventful and beautiful day for The City of Bamberg, as many lined Main Street to see who would be waving, throwing candy and spreading Christmas cheer. This event, which also marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many in Bamberg, began at 10 am on the south side of town at the Old USA Enterprise Building and ended at National Guard Armory. The parade, themed as 'O Holy Night,' welcomed creative and original floats to join the joyful event.

Chief Morris of the Bamberg City Police Department headed the parade followed by the Bamberg Ehrhardt high School JROTC. As BEHS JROTC marched through town, Enid and Doc Bishop, Grand Marshals of the parade, waved to the many people awaiting Santa's appearance. But before then, many different businesses, churches, and other organizations joined the fun in celebrating the meaning for the season.

Churches or other religious organizations made their way down Main Street to spread the story of Christmas, and also in hopes to win the prize. The first place prize was awarded to Light of the World Baptist Church, second place to Open Door Baptist Church, and third place to Colston Baptist Church.

As the businesses, city and county leaders, religious floats and beauty queens made their way towards the armory, the fire trucks from Bamberg, Ehrhardt, Denmark, Govan, Olar, Canaan, Branchville, Hilda, Edisto, Clear pond, and Hunters Chapel lead the way for Santa. And as the final Bamberg Fire Truck came into view, a man in a red suit with a white beard was waving happily for all to see. His name was Santa Claus, and as he smiled to those who came to see the parade, Christmas cheer filled Main Street in Bamberg.

Denmark Christmas Parade

Soon after the Bamberg parade commenced another parade began in the City of Denmark on Carolina Highway with The Denmark Olar High School JROTC leading the way for The Denmark Grand Marshal, Jerry E. Halmon, Sports Editor and Reporter for The Advertizer-Herald. Halmon's achievement was also honored in the Bamberg Christmas Parade and on Monday evening in the Ehrhardt Christmas Parade.

Other leaders, like the Mayor of Denmark, Gerald Wright were on floats spreading the Christmas Spirit followed by many other businesses, churches, beauty queens and organizations.

As always, the parade ended with the excitement and sirens from many fire trucks from in and around Bamberg County. Santa Claus brought up the end of the parade with volunteer fire fighters, and Fire Pup, the Denmark Fire Department's mascot. Children and adults waved and cheered Santa through town as he brought a spark of hope to come on Christmas Eve night.

‘White Christmas' Ehrhardt lighted Christmas parade

Pansy Clayton, Ehrhardt Correspondent

But Saturday wasn't the only day for parades. On Monday, December 3rd, the Town of Ehrhardt held their Christmas Parade. The annual Schuetzenfest sponsored Christmas Parade began at 5:00 pm on Monday evening. It was kicked off with Chief Chad Dilling and his son riding shotgun in the police car to lead the parade.

Next, Grand Marshal David Johns rode in his boat which won 1st Place in Novelties category. He was honored as Grand Marshal, because he has been a loyal, faithful member of the Schuetzenfest Committee for many years.

The winning float was the 2012 Miss Schuetzenfest Queens featuring present Schuetzenfest Queens to include: Miss Schuetzenfest Catherine Wooditch surrounded by Teen Miss Kingsley Roda, Young Miss Runner Up Crystal Belger (standing in for Young Miss Jordan Cushman) and Little Miss Emily Anne Heape.

Colston Branch Baptist Church, decorated as the Christ child’s manger scene with lots of little angels and shepherds all around with a big star above the manger won 1st place in the Church Floats Category.

In the Children’s Parade, Kally Pinckney dressed as Santa, took 1st Place riding her pony named “Penny.” In Antique Cars 1st Place went to Olar’s 1926 Model T Ford Police Car driven by Buddy Folk, 2nd Place went to a 1909 Metz driven by Dolph Varner and Hallman Sease as rider and 3rd Place went to 1929 Model A Sedan Coupe driven by Donnie & Judy Ayer.

In Church Floats 2nd and 3rd Place went to Open Door Baptist Church and Ehrhardt Baptist Church. They were decorated with members of the churches walking along behind the floats.

Overall it was a big successful parade and bringing up the rear was a whole line of Fire Trucks blowing their horns and whistles as kids picked up candy from Santa who rode the last fire truck and ended the parade. After the parade everyone gathered at the Ehrhardt Fire Department for the annual Soup Supper Fund Raiser.

AJA Varsity Girls improve to 3-2

Mike Hall, Contributing Writer

The Andrew Jackson Academy Lady Confederates Varsity Basketball team improved to (3-2)on the young hardwood season, while the Varsity Boys team is still looking for their first win. On Friday night 11-30-12 the Lady Confederates defeated Cathedral Academy 38-13. AJA was led by Cassidy Hall with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 5 steals. Kasey Mixon had 8 points and 3 assists. Gayle Mathias had a team high 17 rebounds to go along with 3 points.

In boys’ action Cathedral defeated AJA 56-22. AJA (0-5) on the young season was led by Aaron Wright with seven points and eight rebounds. In B-Team Boys action Cathedral defeated AJA 30-13.The Confederates (0- 1) were led by Bryce Hughes with 7 points. Kyle Spell, Austin Jones, and Bailey Ackerman each had 2 points.

In other AJA games last week the AJA JV boys’ and girls’ team took a double-header win over James Island Christian on the road on Friday. The AJA JV girls’ team defeated JIC 18- 15.Caitlin McCallister led the Lady Confederates (2-0) with 12 points and 8 steals. Emmy Hall, Jordan Barnes, and Gabby Sease each finished with 2 points. Sease had a team high 11 rebounds. In the boys’ game AJA defeated JIC 23-20.Joseph Stanfield led the Confederates (1-1) to their first victory of the season with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Christian Lee had 7 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 steals. Jordan Lee, Austin Jones, and Tylor Kinard each finished with 2 points.

In varsity action, JIC would take a double-header over AJA with the Lady Confederates falling to JIC 31-24. Cassidy Hall led AJA with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Gayle Mathias, Savannah Stone, Brooke Barr, and Kasey Mixon each finished with 4 points. In the boys’ game JIC defeated AJA 51-26. AJA was led by Matthew Avant with 11 points while Trey Allen finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Aaron Wright had 3 points and 14 rebounds and Michael Mathias chipped in 4 points.

On Tuesday, the AJA Varsity teams would split a double-header with South Aiken Baptist Christian, with the Lady Confederates coming away with a 36-23 win in the first game. AJA was led by Gayle Mathias with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Kasey Mixon, Savannah Stone, and Hannah Platt each had 6 points, and Cassidy Hall had 5 points, 5 steals, and 12 rebounds. Platt and Brooke Barr each had 8 rebounds. In the nightcap SABC defeated AJA 60 to 16. Matthew Avant had 5 points to lead AJA . Michael Mathias and Jack Price each had 4 points and Zach Boltin finished with 3 points.

In JV action on Tuesday at South Aiken Baptist Christian: The AJA girls’ JV team defeated SABC 23-12.AJA was led by Caitlin McCallister with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Gabby Sease had 4 points and 9 rebounds while Emmy Hall had 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Jordan Barnes also finished with 2 points.

In the JV Boys game SABC defeated AJA 23-13. For AJA Austin Jones finished with 10 points. Tylor Kinard had 2 points and 7 rebounds while Christian Lee had 1 point and a team high 11 rebounds.

Vikings win season opener

Anna Martin, Contributing Writer

The Denmark-Olar Lady Vikings basketball team that made to the Class A Upper State Finals last season and who were ranked third in a recent Class A poll this year, captured their first victory of the season Friday night with a convincing 68-16 non-region win over the Edisto Lady Cougars. The Lady Vikings were led by Ta'asia Wright with 19 points and 17 rebounds. She was followed by Je’nayah Moore with 16 points and a block. Candace Davis and Jalonda Odom each had nine points. In the boys game a fourth quarter rally by the Vikings game up short as they would fall to the Cougars.

Raiders even record

The Lady Red Raiders Varsity Basketball team evened its record at 1-1 on the young season with a 31-27 win over non-region opponent Blackville Hilda Friday night. The Lady Red Raiders were led by Morgan Vaughan, who recorded nine points, seven rebounds and two block shots. Meronda Murdaugh also had nine points to go along with three rebounds and five steals. On Thursday night the Lady Red Raiders dropped a 62-42 decision to Orangeburg Prep. The Lady Red Raiders were led by Meronda Murdaugh with a game high 20 points. LaShaya Clark added seven points in the loss. In varsity boys action the Orangeburg Prep Indians defeated the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders 73-49. The Red Raiders were led by Ches Gleaton with 12 points.

In JV action the OP girls’ team defeated B-E 42-10. The Lady Red Raiders were led by Lisa Pough with five points. The B-E JV boys’ team defeated OP 44-22. The Red Raiders were led by Josh Brown with 15 points in the win.