Features

At age 21, Heath Springs native Quay Powers says he was “scared to death” fighting his way up Old Baldy Hill during the Korean War.
Powers was drafted into the Army in Oct. 1951 and served in the 2nd Infantry Division, Company F.
Their first task was to relieve another company from Old Baldy so that company could go back to the reserve.
“Old Baldy was a special hill because of the vision you had out front, and that’s why it was important,” Powers said. “It gave you a good viewpoint if the enemy did attack.”

Johnnie Wright walked to Charlotte from his family’s Lancaster farm in August 1940 to join the Army. He was 19 years old, had one dime in his pocket and two buddies with not a cent in theirs.
The 5-foot-10 Wright weighed 137 pounds and was dressed in his Sunday suit, the only clothes he had that weren’t overalls.
“I spent my dime to buy pencils to fill out the papers,” he said. “So then all three of us were flat broke.”
The three men served during World War II. Two made it home alive.

Aaron Flynn took his last pain-free steps on a secluded path near Worms, Germany, on the afternoon of Feb. 21, 1945.
He was a 19-year-old private first class from Lancaster, a machine gunner with the U.S. Army’s 6th Armored Division, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion.
Flynn had been a late entry into World War II. His enlistment was rejected several times because of bad eyesight. But after his older brother was killed in action on Christmas Eve 1943, Flynn got into the Army.

This is the story of two Kershaw families joined at the hip for half a century. It’s a complicated tale, so you’ll have to pay attention, but it ends in a happy place.

Fifty years ago, two brothers walked down the aisle of Thorn Hill Baptist Church in Kershaw, each escorting a sister to give away to two brothers standing at the altar. 

Whether jewelry is her thing or she’s crazy about decorating, she loves guns and gadgets or is the monogram queen, there are so many ways to make the woman in your life feel merry and bright at Christmas.
Stores in the Lancaster area are stocked with gift items for every type of woman.
For those who have a home décor habit, Winona’s Flowers and Gifts at 3177 Pageland Highway and the Purple Rooster at 106 E. Gay St. are good places to start.

Toys from the movies “Star Wars,” “Frozen,” “Minions” and “Jurassic World” are covering the shelves at local stores and are projected favorites for kids this year.
It’s the most wonderful time of year for retailers as holiday spending is expected to reach a new average high of $805.65 per person on food items, decorations, gifts and more, up from $802.45 in 2014, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

Not everyone is a creative gift giver, and that’s why there are shops like The Southern Nest and Chickadee’s in Indian Land and the Happy Girl Boutique and Anna Laura’s Boutique in Lancaster.
The stores pride themselves on having what other stores do not.
“They have all kinds of fun stuff – the Brighton Collection in jewelry, nice hand soap, unique plaques with sayings…I could go on,” said Stephanie Lambert, an Indian Land resident who frequents The Southern Nest at 6280 Carolina Commons Drive.

Barbie is back!
The popular Barbie Keepsake Ornaments are back in stories after a two-year absence due to a licensing disagreement between Hallmark Cards Inc. and Mattel. The 2015 holiday editions are available for $19.95 at Annette’s Hallmark House at 925 N. Main St., Lancaster.
For many, the Hallmark ornaments are not only keepsakes and collectibles. They are a Christmas tradition. The same goes for the city of Lancaster’s annual historic landmark ornaments.

The do-it-yourself Christmas basket is easier than ever with the help of two local stores that are in the business of making you smile.
Reid’s Fine Foods at 9762 Charlotte Highway in Indian Land is a specialty food store with tasty treats that are packaged just right for a gift basket. Choose one from the store’s catalog or build your own to the recipients’ taste.
The Purple Rooster at 106 E. Gay St. in Lancaster is known for its unique gifts and awesome displays that just tickle your creative spirit.