Letters, November 17, 2011

Bear Jam was excellent

On behalf of the Summerville HS Boys Basketball program, I want express our thanks to Carvers Bay High School for hosting the 1st Annual BEAR JAM.  Both our JV and varsity teams enjoyed a great day of competition and fellowship.

Coach Jeff Mezzatesta, his wife Luann, the Care Bear hostesses, all referees, trainers, Georgetown County Sheriff's Department, and all of the volunteers all did an outstanding job organizing this event.

From the moment we entered the school, our players realized this was a first-class operation. We have participated in numerous basketball events over the years, and nowhere has the hospitality been any better. Carvers Bay served as an outstanding ambassador for both Georgetown County School District and the Community. I would also like to thank all the corporate sponsors who supported this Jamboree: Crabby Mikes Seafood House in Surfside Beach; El Cerro Grande of Georgetown; Beef O'Brady's of Georgetown; Carvers Bay Convenience; Tupperware; South Carolina Credit Union; Georgetown Kraft Credit Union; M & M Tires; Andrews Family Dentistry; and Gospel Missionary Baptist Church.

We appreciate the invitation and hope to return for the 2nd Annual BEAR JAM next season. Good luck to all the participating teams on the upcoming season.

Best Swishes,

Dr. Greg Elliott,
Head Coach
Summerville High School Basketball



Disgrace at PSU

I see the news about the atrocities that have been ongoing at Penn State University over the past decade and I am shocked. The alleged rape(s) of young innocent boys that have gone on under the University and under Coach Joe Paterno are nothing short of sickening.

The thing that I find unconscionable is the fact that the media and fans of PSU are rallying around Joe Paterno, flying banners like: "God Bless Joe Pa" and "Joe is gone but not forgotten." This, to me, is insanity. By all objective accounts, the head coach knew of the disgusting and horrendous action of his Defensive Coordinator for years.

How could this be allowed to continue? How could Paterno and the University not take action when they first learned of these accusations?? How could any decent person stand by and allow this to continue?

Had I been the one discovering the alleged actions in the shower with the 10-year-old, they'd be calling in a homicide unit to the shower stall. Yet Paterno is hailed as a "victim," just as the untold number of young boys who were egregiously violated by a system where people did nothing.

I spit at Joe Paterno and the University's administration. There should be nothing but shame and outrage surrounding PSU, its administration and its Head Football Coach.

Where is the shame? Where is the outrage? As Edmund Burke once stated, "All that is necessary for Evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Jeffrey C. Shields
Georgetown

Smiling face

I always enjoy "meeting my neighbors" every Thursday, but never more so than 11-10-11 when Donna Britton's smiling face looked back at me.

I am one of those parents who is often in Waccamaw Elementary School as a volunteer and Ms. Britton is the first person I see when I walk in the door. She is unfailingly helpful and pleasant. She even includes an encouraging quotation in her weekly news letter. This week's was:  Look to be treated by others as you have treated others.
-Publius Syrus

Thank you for featuring a great neighbor.

Barbara Campbell
Pawleys Island