12/13/07
Miss South Carolina says goodbye to Manning at Character Counts luncheon
By Eric Goold

Eric Goold/Manning Times

Miss South Carolina Crystal Garrett sings for the crowd at the Character Counts Luncheon last Friday afternoon at the Manning United Methodist Church.

Todd Heldreth, Coordinator of Auxiliary Services for Clarendon School District 2, addressed the crowd gathered at the United Methodist Church last Friday afternoon.

“This is a goodbye party,” said Heldreth. “There will be no shedding of tears.”

Well, it was indeed quite a party but there was also many a tear-filled eye when Miss South Carolina Crystal Garrett said goodbye to Clarendon County.

“It has been wonderful meeting all of you and it has been a true pleasure getting to be here all this week,” said Garrett. “Manning is such a great little town. I’ve been trying to figure out how I can pack it all up in a suitcase and take it home with me.”

Garrett was a feature spokesperson for Character Counts Week in Clarendon County, which wrapped up on Friday after the luncheon. Garrett spent the week traveling to churches, schools and community events throughout Summerton, Manning and Turbeville.

She met citizens and greeted children and shared her inspiring life story with all of Clarendon County’s residents.

“Sometimes special people come into your life and really make you feel blessed,” said Heldreth. “Crystal is gifted, talented, well educated and she comes from a fine family. She’s seen a lot of children and adults in our county this past week. She must have hugged everybody in the county.”

The people of Clarendon County left just a strong lasting impression upon Miss South Carolina as she did on them.

“I’ve never been in such a homey little town,” said Garrett. “You’ve made me feel so welcome. Now I have to leave. It’s going to be weird when I wake up tomorrow and I won’t be in Manning. It will be a little bit sad. But I’ve got more work to do and I’m ready for it.”

The luncheon was a fabulous event for all. Funds from the ticket sales went to Clarendon Habitat For Humanity, which collected over $500.

Connie Robinson, executive director of Clarendon HFH, said that the funds will go toward construction of the 15th HFH house built in the county.

Students from the culinary vocational arts school at F.E. DuBose helped prepare a tasty lunch that was generously provided by Lamar Kennedy and IGA. Patrons were treated to ham, vegetable succotash with beans, peas, carrots and corn, coleslaw, rolls and iced tea. Lemon pie was the perfect dessert to finish the lunch.

While patrons enjoyed the fine food and fellowship, Heldreth talked about the extremely successful Character Counts Week.

“This has been the best week I’ve ever spent in my life, except for the week after I got married,” said Heldreth. “This is the most blessed I’ve felt in a long time. I don’t think the biggest things are always the best, and I don’t think the richest people are always the happiest.

“But I do know the people in Manning are happy people,” he said. “They get along. And they get the job done.”

Garrett told the inspiring story of how she overcame asthma, even after a doctor told her that she wouldn’t live to see her 21st birthday.

“I control my asthma, it does not control me,” she said. “Put your faith and trust in God. He’ll know you can go above and beyond all of your achievements. Your dreams are beautiful and you can achieve them.”

Then Garrett brought down the house with a fantastic and emotional rendition of “Part of Your World,” a song from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

“It’s appropriate to sing this,” said Garrett. “Because you all have made me a part of your world.”