Features

The late Hobert Skaggs always had a hidden reason behind everything he did.

The mandolin that 5-year-old Ricky Skaggs found in his bed one Saturday morning some 50 years ago, and the G, C and D chords that Hobert taught his son weren’t just learning tools and a musical instrument.

It was Hobert’s connection to his Eastern Kentucky childhood that was lost when his brother was killed in World War II.

With its timeless traditions, foundation of leadership and emphasis on community service, the Boy Scouts of America has made a difference.

Since its inception, volunteer scout leaders have worked to instill the values of duty, honor and country in young men to provide a strong foundation for future generations.

Until now, many of these local scouters have been unnoticed, except by those whose lives they have impacted.

But that’s about to change, said Art Harris, Lancaster district executive for the Palmetto Council for the Boy Scouts of America.

It took more than a quarter of a century for Barbara Bowers to meet Brenda Elam in person, but the wait was worth it.

What started out as a complaint between two textile-based industries 28 years ago turned into a lifelong friendship that defies age, miles, 28 years of phone calls, cards, letters and gifts.

That bond was strengthened in September when Elam came to Lancaster to visit Bowers.

One day in 1981, Bowers, who was a claims manager at Grace Finishing for Springs Industries, fielded a phone call from Elam, who worked for the Haggar Company.

A renewal of sorts is under way with the Lancaster Chamber Choir. Having seen a drop in both membership and concert attendance the last two years, they are trying to get the “we’re back,” word out.

When former director Michael Miller left to pursue a doctorate degree out of state, the choir lost its leader. Margaret Walsh, music director at First United Methodist Church, temporarily took over.

Ron Smart knows a lot about choices.

Smart, an ex-death row inmate, had the opportunity to speak to students at Buford Middle, Andrew Jackson High and Buford High schools about that very thing Thursday.

“I can tell you plenty about making the wrong ones,” Smart said during a telephone interview Wednesday. “I spent 46 of the 50-plus year span from March of 1955 to September of 2005 in prison for the bad choices I made. I would say that makes me an authority on what not to do.”

With their distinctive four-part harmonies and combination of country and bluegrass-tinged tunes, Little Big Town is sure to lure a few more fans into their fold on Saturday.

That’s when the up-and-coming country group performs as part of See Lancaster’s Performing Arts Series at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster’s Bundy Auditorium. The four-time Grammy Award-nominated band is the third act to be featured in the 2009-10 series.

These days, consumers are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible.

But if you have thoughts of partially reusing in the kitchen what you scoop from a Halloween jack-o’-lantern this year, you may be disappointed by the results.

Why?

Pumpkins intended for carving don’t taste good; they are only meant as  decorations for ghosts and goblins.

Dr. John Griffin, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina, has always been fascinated by the life (and death) of Abraham Lincoln.

But through the years, Lincoln’s life has grown to such heroic and epic proportions that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.

Now Griffin has put together another biography on the 16th president entitled “Mr. Lincoln and His War.”

Griffin will make a 30-minute slide presentation and sign copies of his latest book at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Lancaster County Library. 

Janie McManus loves historical fiction.

For the seventh grade social studies teacher at South Middle School, it’s a way to make the textbook come alive.

Right now, she is reading “Breadwinner” by Deborah Ellis, to her classes, which is about the Taliban in Afghanistan.

“Will it be on that big test at the end of the year? Probably not,” she said.

“But it’s timely and they need to know this stuff.