Priest's Confessions

During our recent move to a new home in Summerville, my little fur-baby Darla got out through a small fence. We knew the fence was not up to standard and had a replacement one being installed a few days later. What we didn’t realize is that s ...  full story

My dog Toby passed away on Saturday at the age of 15 years and 5 months. He became violently ill at 5:30 a.m., awakening us. That was followed by an hour of taking care of him and then a 30-mile drive to the only emergency clinic open to see if anyt ...  full story

As readers of this column know, I split my time between two households.  My husband is in Aiken with our four dogs. I live with my daughter Jayme and her two dogs here.  So during the week, I spend time with six dogs. My daughter has two la ...  full story

Having just worked the Flowertown Festival, it came to mind how much we here at the paper enjoy interacting with our community. Each year, we set up a booth and over the course of the 3-day festival, we have hundreds of people come by to visit, take ...  full story

My mom and dad are getting up in years. My mom celebrated her 87th birthday on February 29 and my daughter Jayme mentioned that she was going to buy a ticket and fly to Connecticut to surprise her. The northeast has been hit hard by snowstorms this ...  full story

Diana Wilson and Rodney Williams of the Tobacco Coalition spoke to the Rotary Club of Summerville at its Dec. 15 meeting about pending legislation within the Town of Summerville regarding smoking in restaurants and bars, as well as efforts throughout ...  full story

It’s amazing how the years have gone by. Thirty years ago this Sunday, I stood next to the love of my life and pledged my eternal love to him. I planned on spending my life with him – a lofty goal when one is just 20 years old – and I have. To s ...  full story

My son arrived home from college for the summer this past week, much to my delight. On Saturday, I accompanied him to the voter registration office and he officially joined the ranks of those in South Carolina who are eligible to vote in the June 8 p ...  full story

I am disappointed in Governor Sanford. He has indicated that he will veto an important piece of legislation for this state.I am speaking of the cigarette tax increase that looks like it may finally pass after a years-long campaign.The Senate recently ...  full story

I am married to a lifelong educator. From the time he graduated with his doctorate, he has spent his working life educating the teachers who teach our children.He obtained funding for a Science Education Center to be built at USC Aiken. The Center ha ...  full story

Since when did apologizing become good enough? It seems as though recently people think that it is okay to behave as badly as they want in the moment, as long as they apologize afterwards. But is that good enough?Is it okay that Gov. Sanford shirked ...  full story

“In a democratic world, as in a democratic Nation, power must be linked with responsibility” – Franklin D. RooseveltWhen the news broke that Gov. Sanford had been located, I was sitting in an airport in Los Angeles. Even as far away as Hawaii, baggag ...  full story

Hemahema is Hawaiian for clumsy.That’s me. And I proved it on a recent family trip.We began our Hawaiian vacation by hiking to Volcanoes National Park to see the lava flow in the darkness of early evening.I twisted my knee, forcing us to turn back … ...  full story

My “baby” turned 18 this week.I guess that means he is no longer a baby, but to me he will always be that.We’ve attended many events recently as he winds up his high school career.During the band banquet, I watched with pride as he received award aft ...  full story

If you’d been watching the door to the Holiday Inn Express on March 31, you’d have seen many of our local business leaders, including yours truly, arriving. We wouldn’t have been in our usual workday garb, but in the grungiest clothing we owned.Durin ...  full story

Believe it or not, we are only one month away from the Flowertown Festival. Everyone in town seems to be making preparations to volunteer for the festival. I will volunteer my time at booths for the three organizations with which I am affiliated. I k ...  full story

    I, and some of my staff, had lunch with Dorchester Two Superintendent Joe Pye and Public Information Officer Pat Raynor recently. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pye, he is a bundle of energy, full of v ...  full story

What makes children so resilient? I am truly amazed at their ability to accept things as they are and move beyond it. They don’t dwell in the moment. They don’t feel sorry for themselves. It is what it is.When my son was young, he suffered with aller ...  full story

PFC Bob Dunleavy, with whom I’ve been corresponding for the past eight months, came by shortly after his return from Iraq.Bob sent me an email from Iraq where he was stationed to see if The Journal Scene and the good people of Summerville would partn ...  full story

Harry’s in therapy. Okay, not exactly therapy, but in “animal behavior training expert” consultation.Harry, our beloved dog, has never been vicious, despite his large size and history of abuse. That changed the other night when my husband asked him t ...  full story

As I emerged from the house, my husband came running around the house and the only word I could understand was, “Bees.”That was an understatement, as he had not one or two bees, but a multitude of yellow jackets covering his legs and shorts.For those ...  full story

It could only happen to you… My husband has spoken these words to me many times over the lifetime of our marriage.Unfortunately, he’s right. I seem to get myself into some unusual situations.This time I was standing on a boat, in the middle of the Ca ...  full story

August 13, 2004 seemed like any other hot summer day for my in-laws living in Punta Gorda, Florida. That is until Hurricane Charley hit with wind gusts that topped 180 mph.Officially Charley was listed as a Category 4 hurricane.It was 3 am two days l ...  full story

I worry about my parents.I worry about their health. I worry about their wellbeing. I worry that they are warm and well fed and healthy.  At this age, I could claim that I worry about them more than they worry about me, but my mom is quite a wor ...  full story

It’s an amazing thing to see your children blossom into adults before your very eyes.I feel like my daughter’s life is on fast forward at times. She was a good student but she never particularly liked school.She saw it as a means to an end.She starte ...  full story

• Santee Cooper announces 2012 refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper announces organizational changes in operation and finance departments
• Santee Cooper employees pitch in on Day of Caring
• Aerial herbicide treatment on lakes under way
• Santee Cooper Board Authorizes Rate Study
• Santee Cooper announces refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper, Florida Municipal Power Agency enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units
• Santee Cooper, Duke Energy Carolinas enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units 2 and 3

For entertainment, I mainly go out in...