Letters, December 29, 2011

Christmas party

Our son is currently an inmate at the Georgetown County Detention Center. On December 18th our family attended a Christmas Party at the Sheriff’s Office for the families of inmates. We cannot begin to express our sincere appreciation to the Georgetown Community for hosting this amazing event. The many volunteers demonstrated true good-will towards the children of the inmates by donating board games, dolls, toys, hand-made knitted hats and scarves and bicycles for the inmates’ children. And what they got out of the kindnesses shown them during this Christmas season is a lesson in generosity they will never forget.

We felt compelled to thank all the volunteers from the Church and Staff at the Sheriff’s Office who donated and cooked the food, the community volunteers who entertained us with their musical talents and those who donated, shopped and wrapped the many gifts given to the children. It was a well-orchestrated event and one that my grandson will always remember.

We extend kudos to the Georgetown County Community for sharing their time and talents and making the day for the less fortunate a happy memory. You all have enriched our lives immeasurably more than we could have asked or imagined and we are grateful recipients of the love you have shown.

Blessings go out to all the shining stars in Georgetown who gave so freely. Well done!

Merry Christmas,
R. and C. Moore


Christmas wreaths

To the individuals that removed the Christmas Wreaths from the entrance to the Litchfield Country Club we wish you joyful and peaceful Holiday season and may you enjoy them as much as the members of our community have.
Litchfield Country Club Neighborhood Watch.

Joe Gabriel
Pawleys Island




Christmas lights

I am in full agreement with Carey Williamson’s piece about Christmas lights on the bridge (Dec. 9). I will also miss the “Nativity Scene” lights seen by everyone each year.

Investing in things to promote our wonderful Georgetown wouldn’t be, by my choice, to put up flags, flimsy ones, that don’t last into the season. The choices to continue a wonderful tradition that can be enjoyed year after year have more of an impact on people and their holiday shopping than “commercial” enhancement.

Every time I take the bridge, I am saddened by the choices made and am very confused as to “Why?”.

Jean Riordan
Georgetown



Frasier's Gift

Gedney Howe, Jr. was the Solicitor for Charleston and Berkeley counties about a half century ago. His son Gedney, III told me this story about his father.

When he was a child in the 1920s, Gedney, Jr. had a friend named Frasier. Frasier was an old black man who worked for the Howe family. The old man and child were closely bonded to one another.

One Christmas, Frasier gave his young friend an unusual, very beautiful sea shell as a present. Seeing that the shell was rare, the child asked the old man where it came from. Frasier said he got it at Edisto Island. There being few cars or trucks in those days, the child asked the old man how he had gotten to Edisto. Frasier said "I walk, all de way." Shocked, the child marveled about the distance the old man had walked. Edisto is about 25 miles from Charleston, one way. Frasier answered "de long walk part of de gift."

The elder Gedney's portrait hangs in his son's law office in Charleston. In it, a smiling and very distinguished elderly lawyer is depicted standing by a table. There is a book on the table. The title of the book reads "God loves you in a special way." It is near impossible not to smile about the genuine affection that the father is passing on to his children. While his name does not appear on the cover, it is certain that Frasier contributed an important chapter to that book.

I hope the Howe family doesn't mind, but the story of Frasier's gift to Mr. Gedney is  one that needs to be shared with others. It should because Frasier knew how to wrap a gift with affection. When he became a man, Mr. Gedney quietly gave what he received from his old friend in the title of a book on a table in a painting.

The story of Frasier's gift (and Mr. Gedney's portrait) is a special one. Share it. It will enrich whoever gets it. It did me.

And as Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one."

Tom Rubillo
Georgetown