How low can it go?

Mr. Grizzle wrote a very timely and interesting article in The Manning Times on Oct. 25, 2007. I would like to suggest, however, that the person with whom he spoke about lake levels might have made an error. I believe that Mr. Grizzle’s source stated that the current levels are as low as they have ever been since the lake was built, or something similar thereto.

I, along with some of my friends and family members, remember that sometimes around 1948 to 1950, the lake was much lower than now. At that time , McLeod’s Landing was where J & J Marina now is, and on the opposite side of the lake from McLeod’s, Joe Drose had a boat landing which was located right by and adjacent to highway SC 260. The lake was so low, that except for a 60-75 foot stream, one could walk from McLeod’s to the other side of the lake. It was so low, that Joe Drose had to tie his rental boats up at the power lines, which are closer to the dam, thereby had more water, than where he was. There was not a sufficient amount of water at his landing to operate a boat.

There was nothing but a trickle of water in the slew between the airport and what is now Wyboo Plantation. When we were hunting quail, we could walk across all of that area to hunt singles.

Just thought you’d like to know.

Sincerely,
Burgess Sprott
Manning, S.C.

There when needed the most …

Several weeks ago my wife and I were standing in the departure line at the Antigua, West Indies airport to return to Myrtle Beach.

I am diabetic and had missed my lunch, which caused my blood sugar to drop too low. I turned to my wife and told her I had to sit down as I felt I was going to collapse, which I did. As I went down, a man standing in line ahead of me came over to see what was going on. He told me he was a paramedic and my wife told him I was a diabetic. He then took over and asked anyone in the line for a chocolate bar and orange juice with sugar in it which he received immediately. He was very professional and I immediately had confidence in him, as I knew I was in good hands. He forced the chocolate in my mouth and told me to chew, chew, chew. I did enjoy every mouthful; first time I had had any chocolate to eat in eight years. He set me up and started poring orange juice into my mouth and told me to swallow. He then said “You’re looking good; the color is coming back to your face.” He then put me in a wheelchair, rushed me through security and stayed with me until I was seated on the plane.

I learned later that his name was Lin Rainey from Manning, South Carolina.

We should all feel most fortunate to have such competent paramedics in South Carolina.

Thank you, Lin, so much for being there when I needed you most.

B. M. Johnston
Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29572