Cheeze and Cracker Box holds annual Christmas food drive

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

The First Baptist Church of Bamberg Fellowship Hall was buzzing with activity early Saturday morning December 15. This year close to 50 people volunteered in unloading, packaging, loading and delivering 250 packages of grocery items to needy citizens in Bamberg County as part of the Bamberg County Cheeze and Cracker Box Christmas food drive.

“It gives me great joy to see our community come together to share the spirit of Christmas,” stated food drive director Runelle Weeks. “I appreciate everyone that donated time, effort, money and energy to make this food drive successful.” Weeks noted that Mrs. Enid Bishop, volunteer at The Cheeze and Cracker Box, continues to be a vital part of this community outreach. “We are so fortunate to live in an area that supports this great cause. We had such a diverse group that was a part of this food drive,” Weeks said.

Those volunteering their time to make this year’s event a success were: Teresa Smith, Ginger Godley, Reedy DeRienzo, Wesley McAlhany, Runelle Weeks, Billy Weeks, Matt Maxwell, Cody Bishop, Caitlin Bishop, Sam Lucas, Conrad Bishop, Anna DeRienzo, Bonnie Miller, Michaela Cornforth, Barb Pinson, Jack Gerkin, Bonnie Harrison, Pam Hutto, Josh Ness, Mary Katherine Bamberg, Savannah Tager, Paul Glenn, Ryan Brooks, Shawn Bernsteel, Jack Izlar, Patricia Izlar, Paul Sandifer, Larry Long, Malcolm Jones, Player Long, Billy Williams, Lan Hiers, Casey Jones and Jeremy Davis.

Also helping out were the following members of Bethany Baptist Church, of 125 Bethany Church Road, in Orangeburg: Lee Williams, Genni Williams, Tracey Strickland, Amber Strickland, Madison Strickland, Whitney Fogle, Cassidy Fogle, Jason (Junior) Fogle, Chelsea Williams, Tommy Burbage, Sydney Burbage, Copeland Burbage and Brandy Williams.

Bamberg County Family & Community Leaders hold Banquet

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Members of the Bamberg County Family and Community Leaders organization held their annual holiday banquet on Friday evening December 14, at 6:00pm at the Bamberg Civic Center on Main Highway. The theme for this year’s banquet was: “God’s unspeakable Gift.” The speaker for this year’s banquet was Reverend W. J. Simmons of McCune Branch and Summer Grove Baptist Churches.

Reverend Simmons, who was introduced by Mary Helen Martino, started his message by asking the question “Do we really know why we celebrate Christmas?” His answer was “it’s not our birthday but Jesus’ birthday.” Reverend Simmons gave the traditional Christmas message of how Christ was born in a stable because “there was no room in the Inn.”

“He was born for you and he died for you, If it hadn’t been for the birth of Jesus Christ where would we be tonight?” Rev. Simmons said. Members of the Bamberg County Family and Community Leaders on program Friday evening were:

Mistress of Ceremony Lena Dowling, Greetings by Nannie Manigault and Devotion and Scripture reading by Eva Manigault. A beautiful solo “O Holy Night” was performed by Hermena Jarrett, followed by poems from Evelyn Muhammad and Josephine Duncan. The duet of Alonzo and Jessie Irons performed “Silent Night.” After a delicious Christmas dinner, the audience was lead in the singing of “Joy to the World.” Closing remarks were made by BCF&CL President Evelyn Jones, followed by the benediction from Rev. Simmons. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all those in attendance at the banquet.

Red Raider Basketball teams drop region openers to Silver Bluff

Jerry E. Halmon, Sports Editor

The Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raider Varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams dropped their Region 5-AA season openers to the Silver Bluff varsity basketball teams Friday night in Bamberg. The Silver Bluff Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Red Raiders (4-3) by a score of 58-22. In the nightcap, the Bulldogs would come away with a 57-40 win over the Red Raiders (3-4) on the season. The Red Raiders were lead by A. C. Crosby with nine points in the game. He was followed by Austin Brown and Javerick Kearse with six points each and Chris Graham would add five in the loss.

Earlier in the week, the Red Raider varsity basketball teams would take a non-region doubleheader win over the Williston-Elko Blue Devil teams. The Lady Red Raiders would take a 42-29 win over the Lady Blue Devils. The B-E girls’ team was lead by Lashaye Clark with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals and Bridgette Spellman added seven points and five steals for B-E. In the nightcap the B-E boys’ team defeated Williston-Elko by a score of 42-34.

Lady Confederates take region opener over rival JDA

Mike Hall, Contributing Writer

On Friday night December 14, the Andrew Jackson Academy Varsity Girls opened region play with a 38-17 victory over rival Jefferson Davis Academy. Cassidy Hall finished with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 steals to lead the Lady Confederates (8-2,1-0). Kasey Mixon had another strong performance with 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Gayle Mathias and Jordan Osborne each had four points and Brooke Barr had two points. Barr and Mathias each added six rebounds. JDA (4-4,0-1) was led by Pressley Rutland's eight points.

In the varsity Boys game Four players scored in double figures for Jefferson Davis to pave the way for a 67-44 victory over Andrew Jackson. JDA (2-6,1-0) got 18 points from Will Gee, 13 points from Noah Bearden, and 12 points each from Trent Garvin and Jarrett Davis. The Confederates (0-10,0-1) were led by Matthew Avant with 15 points.

In JV action the AJA JV Girls basketball team fought back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, but Jefferson Davis regained momentum and would go on to defeat the Lady Confederates, 40-32. AJA (4-1,0-1) was led by Gabby Sease with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Jefferson Davis Academy JV Raiders defeated Andrew Jackson, 31-19 in the region opener for both schools. Dalton Bell led the Raiders(2-2,1-0) with 17 points. Adam Gee chipped in eight points. AJA (1-4,0-1), was led by Austin Jones with eight points.

In action earlier in the week on 12-11-12 vs. Orangeburg Christian the Andrew Jackson Academy Varsity Girls basketball team improved to 7-2 on the season with a 52-14 win over Orangeburg Christian Academy. Kasey Mixon led the Lady Confederates with 18 points and five rebounds.

In the boys’ game the Andrew Jackson Varsity Boys team fell to 0-9 on the season after a hard fought double overtime defeat at the hands of Orangeburg Christian Academy, 63-59. Michael Mathias paced the Confederates with a game-high 25 points to go along with six steals. Jack Price finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds while Zach Boltin had six points.