Seeing with appreciative eyes …

Dear Editor:
As a former newspaper journalist in N.C. and S.C., I frequently took opportunities to point out commonplace things in our surroundings we often fail to appreciate. Sometimes it takes an outside observer to make us appreciate what we have and take for granted.

In this case I was the outside observer, but in the two-and-a-half years we have owned a fixer-upper lake house, I feel we now have a vested interest in Clarendon County. We shop your stores, eat in your restaurants and call on various service personnel.

With that in mind I am following my personal philosophy of appreciation and thanksgiving to say thank you to Manning and Clarendon County.

Thanks to some of the best farmers in the state. To see acres and acres of gorgeous corn along Bill Davis Road is a pleasure every summer.

Thanks to the active Animal Shelter and supporters, who help the animals find homes in Clarendon County.

Thanks to a friendly tax collector, who answered my questions by phone with kindness and even invited us to make our permanent home in Clarendon County! (I could smile when I paid our taxes!)
We have seen the good and bad in repairing our house, but I thank those who did the job they agreed to and did it promptly.

We have always loved wildlife and maintained a backyard habitat in Walterboro. Now we are thrilled to watch herons, egrets, Canada geese, mallards and kingfishers from our lake house deck, along with an occasional fish jumping, alligator gliding and otter playing. The alligator I could do without!

When I was a writer I pointed out that most visitors to a city never meet the mayor or city officials. The people who will leave an impression of the city on visitors are usually the “everyday ambassadors.” They are the restaurant servers, motel desk clerks, auto mechanics or service personnel. A kind word, a warm smile and good service can make people want to come back.

I hope that when you look out your window or step out your door you will look at your beautiful surroundings with new and appreciative eyes.

Sincerely,
Sylvia Dukes
Walterboro, S.C.