Thanks for a Great ETV Day …

Dear Editor:
May 19th was indeed a special day for Clarendon County. The professionals from South Carolina Educational Television came and spent the day. They arrived early Monday morning and left late that night. SCETV first came to visit us in late November of 2007 announcing that they would love to include Clarendon County in their next Roadshow series.

We quickly started compiling a list of people who would have wonderful ideas to share for the content of the show. In late January they returned to begin filming. This process would go on for the next several months.

In the end Clarendon County was shown at her finest. I want to thank EVERYONE who contributed in making this a wonderful day for Clarendon County.

For starters, many thanks to The City of Manning for the beautiful clock that now graces the grounds of the Courthouse. It is a beautiful addition to what I think is the prettiest Courthouse in South Carolina.

The backdrop for the set was beautiful due to the flowers donated by Linda Mills of Flowers de Linda and to Herbert Venning of Venning’s Nursery.

I must also thank someone who I believe has one of the most generous spirits… Lamar Kennedy. He along with Jake Buddin prepared lunch for the crew. This was filmed and was a part of the noon show that afternoon. As if he did not have anything else to do that day, (run the IGA), he also prepared his delicious shrimp and grits for the 3 p.m. show. The crew and everyone else on the grounds of the Courthouse loved it.

There are many others to thank for the success of the day. The Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band was great. They were showcased several times throughout the show.

The generosity of Shoneys who provided our ice cream party and to John and Linda Lesemann and the City of Manning who provided popcorn and sodas was most appreciated. I appreciate all of the assistance that Mary Adger and Rebecca Rhodes did to get volunteers.

Many thanks to Anne Darby and the Water Lily Gallery for bringing their talents and their beautiful artwork for all to see. I would like to give Jane Gibson a very special thanks for the time spent sketching so many children.

To Jessie Welch and Dannie Faye Welch, who are from the Turbeville area, I thank you for being a part of our festivities and bringing your beautiful art.

Also a big thank-you to Axel Reis and his students from F.E. DuBose who demonstrated their welding talents and showcased their artwork.

Many thanks to C Anthony’s Menswear for coordinating a Chamber Drop-In with Jessica’s, Cissy’s, and Beautiful Image Center.

The Laurence Manning Cheerleaders made the night fun for the children by painting faces. Thanks Girls!
And finally, thanks to Tad Graham for providing the music on the street, which added so much to the evening. Everyone’s enthusiasm was certainly contagious.

I would be remiss if I did not thank the individuals who were a part of the show for taking their time to be interviewed.

In closing, thank you Clarendon County for coming out on the 19th and being a part of the fun. The crew from ETV commented many times that they knew for sure that this County had some of the nicest people that they had ever encountered. I couldn’t agree with them more. THANK YOU CLARENDON COUNTY.

Sincerely,
Dawn Griffith
Executive Director
Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce