Hustle For The Muscle: Helping A Good Person, Friend, and Native Son

Blacksburg, SC is my hometown, and I have found myself writing and talking about it more over the years. The best thing I can say about my small town is its sense of community, especially when someone is in need.

This was in display in full force on Saturday, July 30th as my service organization, Smokin Rita and Friends, helped organize a benefit at the First Baptist Church for Shon Dawkins, who is fighting ALS. The event was a complete success with a hot dog meal, several desserts and sports memorabilia were raffled, and there was even face painting and bouncy houses for the children.

I love seeing when a community can come together and put aside their differences. These are the stories that should be reported first nightly on the news.

Some of you probably want to know more about Shon Dawkins and why anyone would make a big deal out of one person, albeit one deeply affected by ALS.

Well first and foremost, this is how Blacksburg does for its own, when one of its own is sick and in need. The community spirit is strong and they have your back in your hour of need. Even folks from nearby Gaffney and classmates of his from Gardner-Webb University came and showed love.

Second, Shon was not only an awesome athlete during his years at Blacksburg High, he was (and still is) and awesome person that could get along with anyone and make anybody smile and laugh. Shon and his family grew up near me in rural Kings Creek. His family is well known for being good people, good athletes, and hard workers.

Also, it is a tragedy to see ALS take down anyone, especially someone physically and mentally strong as Shon. It has affected his body, but it cannot touch his mind and heart. He is very inspirational despite his pain, and will have you laughing and crying. I always loved being around him, and there was no way I was missing this benefit.

#thehustleforthemuscle movement continues as Shon's condition does worsen and the bills don't stop. There is a 5K run planned soon in Blacksburg, plus other benefits. There is already a GoFundMe in place. Shon is one of the last folks I know that would ask for any help. Therefore, help him since he would help you, and help in this fight against ALS! Continue to check my blogs, vlogs, and social media accounts for more info!

25 of Blacksburg High School's best football players

Last week at halftime of the Blacksburg High School's game versus Woodruff, the 2015 Hall Of Fame class was announced. This included all BHS sports of course. The most notable to many in this area is football though. Four of the six nominees did play football in Blacksburg, SC at some point. Cherokee County is a football county, as Gaffney, SC takes football as seriously as a small town high school can.

That being said, I believe the inductees (current and past) are deserving. Two are former teammates of mine. However, the big debate is why certain players haven't gotten in yet. It does mirror the NFL Hall of Fame, as some players get in early, while others seemingly wait decades, and may not live to see their enshrinement.

Finally, I have compiled my own top 25, which was difficult. I may later expand this to a top 50.

1. Doug Bolin

2. Mike Smith

3-25 (in no particular order)

Danny Fulton

Chris Dawkins

Shon Dawkins

Marcus Davis

 Mickey Moss

 Tony West

 Fred Parker

Randy Patterson

Randy Huskey

 Marcus King

Terrence "TO" Camp

Timmy Camp

Darrell Burris

Kenneth Blackstone

 Blake Hope

 Mark Striewing

Stanley "Dunnie" Watts II

Lamont Sutton

Anthony Garrison

 Joe Patterson

 Nesbitt "Banky" Black

Joey Moore

Daniel Farris

Other notables: JR Martin, JP Martin, Billy Costner, Butch McAbee, Roland "Shine" Camp, Mark Dawkins

There have been many greats come through Blacksburg High School.  Imagine them being on one team.

OK, who else should be on this list? Who honestly has no business being mentioned?

The Save Our Children Movement Inc: Impacting Children's Lives One Event At A Time

Service organizations, especially those involving our youth, have always been important to me. I am currently involved in three such groups. One of the most active is The Save Our Children Movement Inc, or SOCM ("sock em") for short.

SOCM is a non-profit organization which was founded by my cousin Rodney McGill, whom is also the president and CEO.Rodney, along with our other cousin, Greg "G-Baby" Gaines (vice-president) have grown up and have witnessed firsthand the despair regarding the youth situation in Gastonia, NC. These two, along with others, have taken action and wanted to make matters better.

In 2014, SOCM has taken off full blast. To date, there have been a total of 15 different events that this organization has sponsored or headlined over four cities in North and South Carolina. SOCM has been in Gastonia, Kings Mountain, NC, Clover, SC and Charlotte, NC. These events have included cookouts, school supply giveways, free haircuts for the children, a movie night, a health fair, and a weekend of Halloween parties. Free stuff such as food, beverages, clothes, candy and school supplies have been available at each and every SOCM event. One of the next events is slated to be a day trip for 30 children and 10 adult chaperones to the aquarium in Atlanta, GA, depending upon funding. SOCM has definitely been on the move. They have been all about positive action.  They also received an award at event #15 in Charlotte for outstanding community service. Word is definitely getting around not only on social media and the streets but to major movers and shakers.

There have been many people, donors and sponsors that have assisted throughout this year. Some include Sean Boyd (Rodney's youngest brother) , Lewis Tate (another cousin of ours) , Hope Boyd, Ananasa Wright, Chris Wallace (our DJ) , Rodney Barber (appropriately named since his business provides the free haircuts for children), Sonji Williams, Cynthia P. Stitt at the Highland Health Center, and Martha Bratton, who is our SOCM liaison in Clover. Other sponsors include Primary Care Solutions, Cardinal Medical, American Gold Label, Absolute Steam and Star Faith Ministries.

SOCM is truly taking the Carolinas by storm and making a positive mark. For further information or to make a donation towards one of our events, email info@socminc.org or call (704)937-1617 or visit www.socminc.org. They are there to help and uplift youth of all cultural, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Simply come to an event and witness the positive action in motion!

No Man's Land Is Very Appropriately Named

I have visited and tried virtually every haunted house and trail in my hometown of Blacksburg, SC. Last night, I tried another one, No Man's Land.

And that it truely is. It is located off of US Highway 29 North, near Clingman Memorial Gardens and Eastside Baptist Church, on Craton Road. It is way out in the sticks, and the overall experience is one that will leave you scared and perplexed.

It is set up in a mobile home, with an accompanying trail. The trail is dimly lit for added effect. Your usual zombies, clowns, and other horror movie icons are featured. However the highlight of the trail is the multi-dimensional maze (the brainchild of JR and Patrick Johnson), which can be difficult to solve.

No Man's Land is a mom and pop operation, ran by Tommy and Migie Blackwell. They are open on Fridays and Saturdays 8pm-11pm leading up to Halloween. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. There are motified versions of the trail for the children.

The best part about the whole deal is that 100% of the proceeds after taxes are going to Jeremy Gee, a local young man currently fighting cancer. So far many residents are seeing the benefits of going for a haunted adventure and funding a good cause.

So after you've visited the rest, give No Man's Land a shot. You will not be disappointed, unless you fail to solve the maze,...

Jason Farr: Coming Very Far In Comedy in 2014 And Beyond

Local comedian and frequent guest panelist on Scene on Seven Jason Farr has definitely come a far way (no pun intended) in his journey to become an elite comedian. He is making great strides towards this feat, winning South Carolina's funniest comic, and the second funniest comic in all of the Carolinas.

I have known Farr for seventeen years and he has always been original , quick witted and effortlessly funny. He simply knows how to make others laugh and enjoys doing so.

Jason was inspired to pursue comedy at only five years old because of Bill Murray. He saw him in Ghostbusters (this year is of course the 30th Anniversary of that cinematic classic). He said he wanted to be an actor, but more to the point, he wanted to be Bill Murray. Farr got into stand up because he wanted to get better at comedy writing and he read a book on his craft which suggested that doing stand up would sharpen his writing skills. Jason then looked up open mics in Greenville, SC and came across the only one, which was run by a great guy named Nick Shaheen. Farr started coming out to do stand up and didn't stop. The rest is history.

He later entered the "Carolina's Funniest Comic" competition ran by Alchemy Improv Comedy (out of Greenville, SC which he joined last year) and DSI (out of Chapel Hill, NC). There are two wings to the competition, one in South Carolina and another in North Carolina. Comics in each state competed to move on to the finals, which were held in Chapel Hill during the NC Arts Festival. Farr advanced to the finals and was runner up to a NC comic, making him SC's Funniest Comic. The rounds were judged by audience vote. Another competition Jason was a part of was to win a spot opening for the Most Races Show Ever, run by Neil Bansil. The competition was held in Charleston and the winner was decided by a panel of judges. He won that competition and got to open for MRSOE at the Charleston Music Hall, which was great as he connected with lots of awesome people.
Additionally, Farr was on Laugh Your Asheville off, a comedy festival held in Western North Carolina. He has had a  great year in comedy, and feels super blessed and encouraged.

Jason also does improv comedy, which has been a great learning experience. He loves the people involved and it has enhanced his growth as a performer.  It has encouraged him to write at least a joke a day on his Twitter account.

Farr has numerous comedy influences including Bill Murray. Saturday Night Live has been huge just as a show to watch and learn from, but also, so many of his favorites came from there. If it wasn't for SNL, he feels Ghostbusters might not have provided an opportunity for Murray and Dan Aykroyd to make the film that initially inspired Farr. The show helped him to develop a comedic identity. Other SNL alums such as Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Will Ferrell, and Amy Poehler have influenced him greatly as well. Jason's biggest stand up influences include Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Louis CK, and many more awesome comics.

Jason mostly performs at Coffee Underground in downtown Greenville. It's a great spot for food and drinks with friends, but it's also a wonderful place to enjoy live art.  Coffee Underground offers a few nights of live art ranging from poetry to music to comedy. Farr performs stand up there every Monday night for the No Expectations Comedy open mic, which he also help run with some really wonderful people. He does improv there every Friday night with Alchemy.
There are stand up shows every night of the week in the Upstate just about and you can catch Jason on some of them. These include the Upstairs Bar in Spartaburg on Tuesdays; and 2 other No Expectations open mics, one at IPA on Wednesdays and Habiba Mediterranean Restaurant on Thursdays.

Farr has been lucky enough to open for some amazing comics who came through Greenville; Rory Scovel, Jarrod Harris, Ryan Singer, Sara Schaefer, Joe Zimmerman, Baron Vaughn, Sean Patton, Brendon Walsh, and Trevor Noah just to name a few. They were all super awesome and encouraging.

Jason don't know what's next for him as far as anything bigger. He will keep on trucking and try to perform sometime in Atlanta. He has yet to do this and feels he shoud, as it is a superb comedic scene. Currently, Farr mostly just wants to improve and remain thankful with all the good fortune he has enjoyed in 2014,

Jason Farr can be reached through hia Facebook promotional page (www.facebook.com/ActorComedianJasonFarr), his Twitter account (@JasonFarrJokes), and his website, www.JasonFarrisAwesome.com

I highly encourage all to check out this young rising star. He is very humble and realizes where he's at and where he has to imrprove and want to be as a comedian. Perhaps he could be in New York soon and land a spot on Saturday Night Live like his biggest hero, Bill Murray, did 40 years ago.

Best Pizza Buffet In Town: The New Pizza Inn?

Nearly three years ago to the date, the infamous Pizza Inn in Gaffney, SC mysteriously and suddenly closed its doors. I wrote a piece about that immediately.

Fast forward to the present day. Lee Whitesides, who opened Fuji Expressuns a few months prior to Pizza Inn folding, has moved his Japanese eatery to the nearby the Gaffney Premium Outlets (i.e., The Yellow Mall) and has opened up a pizza buffet. He is calling it The Best Pizza Buffet In Town. Thus far, people are flooding the restaurant in droves, anxious to see the hype.

I decided to visit the place this past Friday evening. I thoroughly enjoyed the pizza, the staff, and the overall atmosphere. They were quick with your beverages and kept pizza circulating on the buffet. I give it a A grading and a 9 ranking. The pizza, including the infamous chocolate chip pizza, were all reminiscent of the old Pizza Inn. The salad, pasta, and even tater tots were also top notch. Currently it is the best pizza buffet in Gaffney.

Now the food itself may taste like Pizza Inn and give locals that renewal that was taken from them in 2011. However, Best Pizza Buffet lacks the space, character and history that the old Pizza Inn had. Perhaps Whitesides should consider a larger building if business continues to improve in the coming months. He is not competing with other pizza buffets franchises such as CiCis Pizza, plus the buffet is all day long unlike Pizza Hut which only has a lunch buffet.

The location and price itself are hard to beat.  Around $8 for lunch, $9 for dinner, which includes your drink. It is right off of I-85, exit 92, close to the Big Peach and the aforementioned outlets. I would definitely recommend it to all and also to arrive early to avoid a long wait.

Have you been to Best Pizza Buffet yet? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?

Rocking The Hill: More To Rock Hill Than You May Know

This is for now my final installment in my series about various towns and cities in South Carolina. This is my second home: Rock Hill, SC. I lived here for six years and find it to be a joyeous, growing place.

Many know it as the medium size city just south of Charlotte. But there's much more to this city than that.

All is takes is a ride down the two most popular roads, Cherry Road and Dave Lyle Boulevard, to see that "The Rock" has a lot to offer for all ages and demographics. It's a town that's positioned for exponential growth but still striving to keep the small community atmosphere. This city has three higher learning institutions: York Technical College, Clinton Jr. College, and Winthrop University. All are gaining more notoriety and use the city of Rock Hill as a selling point for admission.

Need something to do in the Rock? No problem. There are several local bars and lounges, including McHales and Empire Pizza. They have a bowling alley, Manchester Square with a Regal Cinemas movie theater, a $2.50 theater off of Cherry, Cherry Park and Glenclairn Gardens. Winthrop usually has plenty of entertainment on their campus and encourages the city to be involved.

South Carolina is known for its many festivals and Rock Hill is no different. Every April for a week and a half is The Come See Me Festival, welcoming Spring and having the infamous frog mascot.

You will not go hungry in Rock Hill either. Many chain restaurants populate the inner and outer portions of the city. There are great local places as well such as White Horse, Anna J's, Luigi's, Toyo's,
and Charondas.

Many great athletes have come out of Rock Hill including Gerald Dixon Sr., Jeff Burris, Chris Hope, Coradelle Patterson and most recently Jadeveon Clowney, perhaps one of the greatest to ever play football in the state. Sports are a big tradition in the Rock and District 3 Stadium on Cherry has hosted some huge games and events. It is also where Northwestern and Rock Hill High Schools (for a long time, the city's only two high schools) each play their home football games.

The city is simply awesome: plenty of entertainment, top notch schools, close to Charlotte, Columbia and Upstate South Carolina. It is simply a great place to live and raise a family. You feel welcome from the time you drive into the city.

Not to sound too much like a city guide or a real estate agent, but come experience Rock Hill for yourself!

Clover: Quite Simply The City With "Love" in the middle

Nestled between York, SC and Gastonia, NC and about 30 minutes south of Charlotte, NC, off of SC Hwys 321 and Hwy 55 lies one of the best kept secrets in the Carolinas. It is a small town just shy of 4,000 people called Clover, SC.
Clover is very rich in its history and culture. Like many other small Southern hamlets, it has thrived from the mill and textile culture. Many residents know each other by name and their families and relatives.

During the 1970s and 80s, Clover was a bustling city to spend a night out. You had Howard Johnson's restaurant, the drive in theatre just outside of town, and Henry's Knob. Many, young and old, would drive up to the "Knob". Present day, it is now closed.

Clover is big on its festivals and community spirit. They recently had a BBQ and bluegrass festival and Clover Fest is coming up soon in this month of September.

Many businesses and restaurants have been part of the small city for years such as Boyd's Tire and Furniture, M.L. Ford and Son's Funeral Home, Patti-O's Grill, Victoria's Restaurant, The Eagles' Nest and Courtney's BBQ. Courtney's has brought notoriety to Clover, as the pitmasters that run this joint have won several regional and national BBQ competitions.

Clover has also has its fair share of famous names such as Herb Kirsch, Stan Spears, Poke Cobb, and Lamont Hall.  All of these figureheads still have a lot of pride in their hometown and regularly give back.

Personally, Clover is near and dear to my heart as any city. I have family members from both sides that are from and/or still live there. Many of my earliest memories are of the town with love in the middle and the mascot The Blue Eagle. One of Clover's sports mottos is "It's A Great Day To Be A Blue Eagle!".

Clover is one of those towns one may pass through enroute to Gastonia, Carowinds Amusement Park or to Lake Wylie. However, trust me, it is well worth it to stop and stay a spell. The love and history can truly be felt in this city.

Gaffney: A City Of Peaches, Football, And Much More

Off of I-85 southbound between Blacksburg and Spartanburg lies a city with a lot of pride, tradition and history. It is identified by the giant Peach water tower. This is Gaffney, South Carolina, population of about 20,000 plus.

Gaffney has long been known for three things: peaches due to the South Carolina Peach Festival , high school football and their mills and plants.

The Peach Festival is held every year in July, and always draws a huge crowd with their parades, BBQ contests, road races, concerts, and the Mud Bog. Many artists have come through the city, which include Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Otis from the Temptations, Colt Ford, and Brantley Gilbert. Gaffney actually produces more peaches yearly than the state of Georgia.

High school football is huge in South Carolina , and it doesn't get much bigger for one of the state's oldest and most successful programs. The Gaffney Indians have won 17 state championships, most in the state. Almost 10,000 fans pack the Reservation every Friday night for home games, and a large following is always present at away games. People in Gaffney love football , period, and any negative word towards the Indians will not be tolerated.

For years, Gaffney thrived off of its cotton mills and textile plants. Hamrick Mills, Nestle Frozen Foods, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation are some if the ones that have helped the city thrive and allow residents to raise families and earn a good living in their towns.

There are two sides to the city separated by the railroad tracks: the East side and the West Side. While the East has Limestone College, Harold's restaurant and lots of farmland, the West side has more of the businesses and commerce. Floyd Baker Boulevard is where most of the major businesses and such are located. There are also many out near the Prime Outlets (called the "Yellow Mall" by residents) , including the Big E , a state of the art entertainment center which includes a movie theater, a play center for children, bowling alley, arcade and even a bar and grill that I have written about before when it was under different management.

Gaffney also has its staples in small business. The previously mentioned Harold's is one, as it appeared on the Food Network. There are also Bronco's Mexican Restaurant. Aegean Pizza, Hong Kong Express and Daddy Joe's BBQ and Grill. "Gaffneynites" are very proud of what they have, while trying to get more businesses into town, and activities for the youth.

This is overall a tight knit community where everyone eithers knows your name or at least one of your family members. One can really feel at home in a city such as Gaffney.

Run The Rock Has Taken Off At Full Speed

It's definitely the season for running, or doing outside exercise. Janice Fuller knows this as well as anyone.

A long time fitness instructor and enthusiast, Fuller is always finding ways to stay active and help others be the same way. This slender lady with the bright smile and short dreads has now formed a successful running group in Rock Hill, SC called Run The Rock or #runtherock.

The group had very humble beginnings. Janice simply posted on Facebook in 2011 that she was looking for runners, but to no avail.  She then posted that she would be running on Mondays at 5:30am. There were about four people that joined her on Mondays. She then made another post about her running and helping those train for upcoming 5ks. The numbers started increasing at that point.

Present day, the group averages around 40 runners on each day, with 70 being their largest turnout. There is certainly power in numbers. 

Run The Rock runs on Mondays at 5:30am at the Winthrop Coliseum,  Tuesdays (at Food Lion on Ebenezer Road) and Thursdays (Hwy 5 plaza across from Northwestern High) at 5am and Saturdays at 7am at the Winthrop Coliseum. Group members and guests simply run, jog or walk 3-5 miles. No fee is required. Just bring some comfortable running shoes, water, a hand towel, and excitement and determination.

Currently there are no evening runs due to Ms. Fuller's intense evening teaching schedule. There may be one coming in the Fall, as the schedule will be adjusted to accomodate the cooler weather.

The group has a day trip planned for Saturday, July 26 to go to Crowders Mountain and challenge those hills. They are also considering doing a 5K in October and perhaps a 10K shortly thereafter.
Run The Rock has gotten lots of local media attention around Rock Hill and surrounding areas. This group is moving, growing and simply having fun.

Becoming a part is easy. Simply search for "Run The Rock" on Facebook, or meet Janice and company at one of the dates listed above. They welcome people of all levels.

What Janice Fuller is doing is a wonderful service. It is hard pressed to find a running group or even a running partner in smaller cities. Fuller has proven with persistence and consistence, it is possible.

Get in on a run, jog, or walk, at Ieast on the weekend while you can. 5am or 7am are early times, but can be worthwhile, especially if you're in the area. You're sure to not regret it!

29719: Kings Creek Pride

29719 was more than five numbers to a small group of people. It was our lifestyle, our family,  our roots, our former zip code.

That is linked to a place called Kings Creek,  just between Blacksburg and Smyrna,  SC, named by some "God's Country. " 

The widening of Highway 5 heading into York County,  plus the closing of our post office in 1998, along with other businesses,  have virtually taken us off the grid. Google doesn't even recognize us on Google Earth or Google Maps anymore. It's like they have merged communities like ours and Cherokee Falls with Blacksburg. 

I tell folks that don't understand or to whom I don't care to explain that I'm from Blacksburg.  However,  I have always claimed Kings Creek (the KC) as my home.

Kings Creek was a small mining community for years, home of the Industrial Mills plant. This plant employed virtually the entire hamlet,  and was a landmark. We also had Boheler's Store, where you stopped to catch up on gossip, get snacks, and play video games and pool in the adjoining arcade. Love's Grocery was our gas station, just a few feet up.  We also had plenty of swimming holes: Kings Creek (or The Curb) and the infamous Burnt Mills. Burnt Mills is still going strong and has a bar right in front of the bank of the creek. Lots of good hunting, fishing and four wheeling lands and trails surround our area also. It's our own slice of Heaven. 

Growing up, everyone literally knew everyone.  We rode the school bus together,  gathered at Boheler's or the post office,  and simply had a mutual trust and respect towards each other. On Halloweens, we knew we could safely trick or treat at almost any home in the area.

Smyrna and even the eastern part of Blacksburg just outside of city limits share a lot in common with us. But there's something special about being from Kings Creek that only the residents can grasp.

We have the rich, dirt poor, middle class, simpletons, and all in between.  However, we have always came together in the name of the KC.

It will take more than the closing of a post office and a road widening to erase our identity. 29719 will forever live in our hearts.  We may have to write Blacksburg on bills, job applications,  letters and such.  Nevertheless, we all know that this is Kings Creek, the one and only. 

Judgement House: Uplifting, Touching, and Informative

Christian Churches nationwide are always looking for creative and Informative ways to reach people and bring more people to Jesus Christ. One of the more popular programs over the last few years has been Judgement House.

Judgment House is a series of skits that a church can utilize to portray a person or family's choices about serving the Lord, and showing the results, positive and negative, of these decisions.

Hopewell Baptist Church in Blacksburg, SC has been doing Judgment House for about four years now, returning in 2014 after a year off. Hundreds have come through to view the rooms of skits the church members have put together.  Many souls have been saved and rededicated to Christ as a result.

I attended one of their final showings during this period and will have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The message is simple and one I have heard all my life: accept Jesus into your heart completely and you can achieve the gift of eternal life in Heaven. If one fails to acknowledge Him or has doubts, an eternity in Hell could be waiting.

The delivery of this message is what stole the show. The actors and actresses were very dramatic and passionate.  Skits included one with God at the gates of Heaven, Hell itself and Satan, and finally the kingdom of Heaven with Jesus and many angels. It was very obvious the work Hopewell had put in to learn the various skits, coordinate the rooms, design the sets, and make the experience touching and memorable.

Often when churches put on productions such as Judgement House, they are critiqued for asking for monetary offerings, pressuring people to accept Christ, and even soliciting membership into their congregation. I cannot speak for other churches regarding their JH performances. However I can say that Hopewell Baptist Church does none of this.  The pastor,  however,  does pray with each group at the end of the show and allow them to dedicate or rededicate themselves to Christ, pressure free. This is something I can very much respect. 

I enjoy it when groups of people find innovative and groundbreaking methods to bring people closer to God and His son, Jesus Christ.  We are in an era where it often takes more than witnessing and traditional church services to reach the masses. Hopewell gets this and has been using Judgement House as a positive vehicle this past few years. 

Visit www.judgementhouse.org to find a Judgement House near you. Or if you are interested in learning more about the one I attended,  visit Hopewell Baptist Church on Facebook,  or call the church office at (864) 839-6653. I know many of the members well, and recognized them in the skits.  They, and the ones at other churches performing Judgement House, definitely want to assist you in your spiritual journey. 

Dedicating yourself to anything important,  including worshipping the Lord, is both a commitment and a choice.  Thanks to Judgement House, the decision is now more visual and graphic, aligning with the Holy Bible and the teachings of Christ.

Have you attended a Judgement House either at Hopewell or another church? What type of impact did it have on you and others?

Two Great Haunted Adventures Right in Blacksburg, SC

Blacksburg, SC doesn't have much to call their own except for its collective pride and sense of community.  However, every Halloween, there is always a good haunted house or trail right in Blacksburg that can scare and keep visitors entertained.

Two such places are The Fear Farm and Booger Jim's Hollow.

1. The Fear Farm

The owner behind this 8,000 square foot haunted house, along with a zombie room, additional scare houses and side shows;  and even vendors, has really brought attention to the Iron City. Most people within an hour radius notice the promotions, from the professionally printed signs, to the old cars placed around Cherokee County with spooks and goblins coming out of them, covered in blood and having the "Fear Farm" emblem emblazed on the hood.

This haunted house is very well lit and easy to find, off of 99 Island Road. Inside, the place is well constructed, with mazes, monsters, clowns, a cemetery, and many other horror movie images and icons guaranteed to scare you. General admission is $13, $18 for VIP line skip, and up to $20 for access into the additional rooms and houses.  Fear Farm was featured in a magazine as one of the best haunted houses in the Upstate. To get further information, visit www.scfearfarm.com. Bring friends and be ready to be entertained.

2. Booger Jim's Hollow

This trail based on the urban legend of Cherokee Falls resident Booger Jim is more generic than the Fear Farm, but is equally, if not scarier than The Fear Farm.  This is located in the woods of Cherokee Falls, behind Cherokee Falls Missionary Church. They have a waiver you must sign due to the scary and number of hills on the trail. They also have a guide/narrator. The price of admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children.  I will say Booger Jim's is worth that price. The trail delivers in all facets: monsters, clowns, narrow traps and paths, and an appearance by Booger Jim himself.  The creators, however, are more low budget. They employ flyers and social media to get the word out. However, their signs are homemade and dark. The trail is difficult to find as their is no lighting leading up to Booger Jim's.  Nonetheless, people love the legend and the trail. Visit www.boogerjimshollow.com for more information.

So if you live in Blacksburg and don't want to travel to Scarewinds or to a larger city to get scared, no worries. These two will provide that portion of Halloween that you sorely desire. Heck the locations are less than five miles apart. You and your group could hit them both on the same night for under $30/head. Now that's a good price for quality, family entertainment. 

So when you come down Hwy 5 and on to Hwy 29 in Blacksburg, look for the signs, visit the websites and ask around. The Iron City has thrills and horrors, but hasn't become a dead ghost town.  Fun is guaranteed for all.

Fish-Tales Fish Camp Review

Blacksburg, SC, my hometown, doesn't have many restaurants or businesses.  However, the ones we do have tend to hang around for years.  I believe Fish-Tales Fish Camp has this potential.

Fish-Tales is owned and operated by Scott Willis and his family. They provide the good Southern flavor and hospitality that will keep you coming back. They are located off of Hwy 29 across from the infamous Kelly's Steakhouse. Scott took over the restaurant in January from the previous owner, Roy Hale, who called it Crystal Sea Fish Camp. They have not missed a beat since.

Thursdays-Saturdays, they offer a delicious seafood buffet complete with salad bar and desserts. Catfish, flounder, calabash chicken, home fries, and onion rings can regularly be found on this bar. I'm a bit of a seafood connoseuir and the fish and chicken there are quite tasty. There are also tasty menu items such as various fish, hamburger steaks, ribeyes, and blooming onions.

Perhaps the biggest change Scott made when he took over was the addition of a Sunday country buffet.  This buffet is always delicious and filling if you're looking for a good home cooked meal after church and before the various Sunday sports comes on. Salad and desserts are also included. The main items on this buffet are fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, home fries, fried okra, mac n cheese, bread (varies from week to week), green beans, cabbage and collard greens. Scott will occassionally sub out and in items such as meatloaf, pork chops and blackeyed peas. If it's country cooking and soul food, it's bound to be found on the Fish-Tales buffet.
The prices cannot be beaten either. $11 for dine-in, $8 for carry out, and discounts for children and seniors.

Therefore, if you're in the Upstate area on a weekend evening, or particularly early Sunday, come by Fish-Tales and let Scott and his family do the cooking. They can be found on Facebook, and reached at (864)839-3100.  Type 1639 West Cherokee Street, Blacksburg, SC 29702 into your GPS to locate them.
Do yourself a favor and give them a try. You are sure not to regret it. 

Five Party Promoters/Planners I Know

I am not into the club scene much these days. However I do like social gatherings, cookouts, and other such parties. The following party promoters and planners threw some epic bashes in 2012 and I look to what they have planned for 2013. People have raved about the Inaguration Ball, various Super Bowl parties, and are looking forward to the bashes that spring and summer bring. 

1. MAZ Entertainment
They appear to be on the forefront of urban nighttime (and even daytime) entertainment in Charlotte, North Carolina. These two guys, Anthony McPherson and Michael Paul, throw awesome parties every few months, including an All White party, a Halloween party, a Frolic event during the summer, and capping it off with a wonderful New Years Eve bash. Anthony has began having free Friday night parties uptown at Pulse, expanding their brand.  The dynamic duo also always throw a few parties during the week of the CIAA tournament. These gentlemen endeavor to make every function they have as upscale and memorable as CIAA.
2. R Elegance Event Planning.

This is owned and operated by my best friend's wife and my friend also, Rayn Leland Newson.  She organizes parties of all types, upscale and casual in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. These include weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, and even graduation and housewarming parties. Basically, she plans celebrations for every occasions. Ms. Newson endeavors to make every event memorable, with her creative favors and games. She works with the best the Queen City has to offer in coordinators, bakeries, and venue owners. Rayn will undoubtedly give you an unforgettable experience.

3. JC and Short
One final shoutout from the Charlotte area comes from two classmates of mine: Jonathan "JC" Moore and Ryon "Short" Burnside. They don't throw as many bashes as the previous two, as they mostly focus on adult birthday parties and Winthrop University Homecoming events. However they are relentless promoters and know how to bring in the crowds and show them a good time. These two fellas have helped resuscitate Winthrop's Homecoming, once considered mundane and predictable by students and alums.  They care that much about our school and others, and knew it would be up to them if we were going to have more fun Homecomings. Now their annual party has become a staple just as the tailgate, game and stepshow.

4. April ,Clay, and Rita

I've written about these locals before, and here I am again mentioning them. They throw some of the best social gatherings that Cherokee County, South Carolina has to offer. Apri has awesome organizational and delegation skills. Clay and his brother Derrick draw the crowd, especially with Rita, Clay's BBQ smoker. Whether raising money for a charity, a friend in need, or just having fun, they are just exciting to be around, and do not want anyone to leave angry or hungry.

5. The Smith Ladies
These ladies don't have an official name to my knowledge, so I will give them one. This quartet featuring Keyla Land, Queen Smith, Reka Burris, and Aca Jeter usually throws a few parties per year, including a pre Super Bowl bash and Reka's baby gender release party. They are similar to MAZ, or even JC and Short, focusing on birthdays and special holidays and occasions, mostly in the Gaffney, SC area. These ladies all have birthdays close together, so it's no coincidence that they just started having parties for each other. They have had all white parties, block parties, and even a yacht party last year. Whether individually or as a group, these four lovely young ladies really cater to the masses, their respective families and communities. I always have fun at their gatherings and it's good to not have to travel far.

Gwendolyn Galmon: A Story of Physical and Personal Transformation

Personal change and transition is rarely easy. Anything worth having in life requires hard work, time, and effort. Gaffney resident Gwendolyn Galmon definitely realizes this. She applied these and many other principles to achieve her weight loss goals.

Gwendolyn is the latest face of Your Best Body Fitness Center and Day Spa here in Gaffney, appearing in their ads in the Weekly Ledger and also in the Gaffney Ledger. I decided to profile Mrs. Galmon and do a feature on her since I also work out at Your Best Body, know her personally,  and have witnessed some of her weight loss firsthand.

The ads currently state she has lost 108 pounds. She is actually down 112 at press time as her metabolism continues to work at a rapid pace. Galmon began this mission about a year ago when she learned she was going to be a grandmother. It was a reality check for Gwendolyn. She realized she was getting older, and wanted to be healthier and younger in body and mind. According to her "she wanted to get and look younger."

She has been a full time working wife and mother for years. During this time, she found herself losing her personal identity and self. Being the woman of her home was taking so much time and energy, not to mention her job. There did not seem to be enough time for herself. Therefore, Gwendolyn realized it was time to take care of her and give what she deserved: a new outlook internally and externally.

Many people that lose weight nowadays rely heavily on pills, gimmicks, and quick fixes. Gwendolyn took the traditional approach: a strict diet and a rigorous exercise regimen. She eats more vegetables with her meals, will eat fruit alone as a snack, and consumes lots of lean protein. This protein includes chicken breast, turkey breast, and ground turkey, and tilapia. No red meat or pork has been a part of her diet.

Some of the things she does far as exercise include going to Your Best Body several times per week concentrating on lots of cardio routines. She works on the elliptical machines and does ZUMBA classes on occasion. 10-15 minutes on certain days are also spent working abs and biceps. Gwendolyn also does a lot of heavy cardio outside of the gym, doing plenty of jogging and bike riding. Her brother bought her a bicycle.  It has been put to good use, including participation in bike rides.  The results for Mrs. Galmon have been nothing short of amazing.   

Gwendolyn has also found assistance and guidance through reading the book "17 Day Diet" by Dr. Mike Moreno. She highly recommends this book for anyone. This book can be found at Wal-Mart and Amazon, and is also available to download to your preferred e-reader.

This is a lady that has definitely won the battle of the bulge and defeated her inner demons as well.  She has also more of an outer glow about herself. Gwendolyn says that now that she feels comfortable with herself physically and financially, she is going to work on improving herself spiritually through her faith and journey with the Lord. I'm confident that she will succeed there as well.

People like Gwendolyn show and remind us that goals and advancements are achievable and worth the hard work. The key of course is the work and the effort. Many aren't willing to go that extra mile, to keep pushing regardless of obstacles. Mrs. Gwendolyn Galmon has done just that. This woman now stands as an inspiration and living proof for success in fitness, family, and life, and continuously striving for personal growth and development.

 

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