The Item from Sumter, South Carolina (2024)

February 22, 1996

Publication:

The Itemi

Location:

Sumter, South Carolina

Issue Date:

Thursday, February 22, 1996

Page:

12

Extracted Article Text (OCR)

rwwm'W'WT I'fttm vv vu'tvtvv TTtTTf TyTT tfieltcnu Sumter SC THURSDAY February 22 1996 4B YWCA seeks nominations for outstanding Sumter women VOLUNTEERS T'V'V V'V T'V 1 TV'TT 1 1 Nominations must include biographical information a list of contributions and awards received twb letters of recommendation and a photo To nofninate a woman any of the above categories contact the YWCA at 773-7158' The deadline for nominations is Feb 28 compilation of information pn the lives of outstanding women in Sumter" for historical records Criteria for selection are: the impact of the contributions on others her service as a role model for women and the enduring value of her achievements During History Month yvhich is celebrated in March the YWCA of the Upper Lpwlands will honor area women in the areas of community service entrepreneurship fine arts 'media religion sports and teaching The winners wilLbe recognized at the annual membership meeting'on March 26 The awards are designed to celebrate History Month by recognizing local women who have made significant accomplishments the community state or nation The recognition also identifies role models for other women and provides a I United Way Volunteer Center The 1996 JCPenney Golden Rule program is now accepting nominations for local volunteers who make-a difference This annual program recognizes and awards outstanding volunteers in the Sumter Clarendon and Lee county area for their service to the community If you would like information on how to nominate a person or group for one of these prestigious awards contact the United Way Volunteer Center at 773-7935 Wlh at ji "Out to Pasture (But Not Over the Hill) at Hill? i -i' I-At A jf i $1 VW ff i Photos by ERIl(A JOHNSON SP a Friends of the Library Author's Lunr1 Over I if I i Effie Wilder signs copies of her book sounded almost she said The editing process was done mostly over the phone since Wilder travel as far as Atlanta She and her editor got along well except for that 20-minute argument about the use of the word the story The word was used in a conversation about kudzu One of her characters says the vine that has taken over the South was probably brought here by a as a porch vine mother lives in Washington DC and appreciate the connection told her I was sure her mother one of them but that there are plenty of others she said The editor won that battle and book went to press now in its fourth printing Writing the book has turned her Volunteer needs Various individuals need assistance with house repairs Volunteers needed immediately Boys and Girls Club Volunteers needed to help children after school Mentors needed to be matched up with students for encouragement and companionship program Covenant Place Persons needed to read to residents help with arts and crafts play cards help with activities play the piano and others DSS Drivers needed to take clients to appointments (mileage reimbursed) Clerical volunteers needed Disabilities and Special Needs Board Volunteers needed to answer phones and help with adult programs Guardian ad Litem Guardians needed to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children during legal proceedings Greenhouse Runaway Shelter Peer counselors needed to provide one-on-one support and to organize recreational activities Also if you have non-perishable food clothing toiletry items furniture office supplies or other items in good shape that you would like to donate to a local charity call Volunteer Sumter at 773-7935 Sumter Volunteers Get involved with the community in 1996 as: A citizen on patrol with the police department by signing up to take a 10-weeks Citizen on Patrol Academy course on Thursday nights The starting date will be announced as soon as the class is filled Citizens will receive training and education in the various responsibilities of the police and upon graduation will be able to drive the Citizens on Patrol vehicle and be of assistance to the police department as volunteer Citizens on Patrol Applications are available in the reception area at the police department oe Graham is in charge A recycling volunteer teaching children as "Rocky" the city's recycling mascot costume is provic1 1 and training will be provi A mentor tutor role model big friend adviser 1 1 confidante for students A volunteer with the second annual MS Walk for Sumter on March 30 Distribute brochures now and sign up to help on the day of the walk at rest stops with registration and other needs Call Debbie Marlowe at 499- 5054 Tutors for children 3 through 12 at South Sumter Resource Center from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Thursday Homework helpers at the Boys atQd Girls Club Adopt an elderly resident for Easter and take a special gift club or church group might adopt several or an entire nursing home Crocheter of craft items at home Arts and crafts helpers An office assistant at USC Sumter Call Jo Anne Morris at 775-7423 to get involved Author regales library supporters with tales about life after 85 By ERIKA JOHNSON SPINELLI Item Features Writer With a lilting Lowcountry voice Effie Leland Wilder speaks comically of writing her first book at the age of 85 And then she apologizes for the lack of plot in her sequel which she wrote when she was 86 But not her fault quick to point out not much exciting happens a nursing home except for when the doctor to cut our toenails or they load us up in a van to take us to a polling place and most of the time we know who voting for but we know made a Wilder shared her wry humor gentle manner keen observations and humorous outlook on life with Sumter Monday at the Friends of the Library Luncheon Her book to Pasture (But Not Over the is about life in a nursing home not unlike the events of 17 years in the Presbyterian Home in Summerville The book began three years ago when just started jotting things down I heard at the (dinner) she said Her daughter thought the stories were funny and suggested compiling them into a book Writing unfamiliar to Wilder she was a correspondent for News and Courier newspaper years ago -and she knew she had to have some sort of a plot But she admits in her second book that since not much happens at a nursing home much plot and it But heard of an elderly man in the home who had earned his license with the help of a home resident and so centered the book on him She sent it to a Chapel Hill publishing house which sent it back saying their That was going to be the extent of her publishing effort I want to waste any more she said laughing But a friend knew of a publisher Atlanta who might like her style So she gave it one more try She received a letter from the managing editor of Peachtree books that said: like your story but who are He soon learned who she was Wilder said she knew the man was a Yankee when he responded to her questions with instead of I got to like that she said and was tickled when he called to say in! going to publish simple life upside down you want to have the sky fall in on you write a book and get it published when she said have so many visitors that I have to keep my hair combed all the time" She wishes she had written the book 20 years ago though she says with a laugh have because I in a nursing home She regrets not having the strength to travel to faraway book signings or speaking engagements She has received close to 200 fan letters and feels compelled to hand-write responses When her editor called and asked for a sequel Wilder was to hear it because I was almost halfway The sequel is about a romance among the mid-80s set mind you but among the mid-70s soliciting names for the second book Her son suggested Innings" while her daughter proposed Out to Pasture Thank and her eldest son said What Her suggestion is Cupid? Not Dead Look for her new book in September Meanwhile you can check out the from the Sumter County Library The main library is located on Harvin Street and has branches in the South Sumter Resource Center and in Market Place shopping center at the corner of Wesmark Boulevard and Alice Drive The Friends of the Library contributed $5000 in books and $5000 in computer equipment to the library last year in addition to $700 for a summer reading program The Friends sponsor an annual book sale and the Luncheon to raise money for the library which is suffering from state and local budget cuts If not a Friend but would like to be call the library at 773-7237.

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