The first annual Olde South Ball held at the Airport Marriott was a complete success!! Guests enjoyed a lovely southern meal, browsed tables of gift items for sale, took home door prizes, bid on one-of-a-kind items in the silent auction, and most of all stepped lively to a full evening of 1860s-era music capably played by the Blueridge Rounders.

Gun Pointed at Officer Shot from Suspect’s Hand

Only in the early Western movies featured on Saturdays in small town theaters did the heroes shoot the pistols from the hands of the outlaws. That is only until recently when Capt. John Gardner of the Travelers Rest Police Department observed a man who had been threatening suicide for more than an hour point a handgun at one of Travelers Rest’s Finest. Surprise! Surprise! One shot by Capt. Gardner who entered a door on the flank of the suspect and the handgun was on the floor and the hand that held the gun had only a small scratch.

A catered dinner and a variety of deserts, including the favorite banana pudding, were followed by a parade of individuals freed from addiction after training by the Wisdom in Living Life Ministry. They rejoiced in telling their experiences that included rising from addiction to illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol and pornography and beginning a new life, never again returning to the life of drugs, crime and broken families.

They were attending the annual “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” banquet at the Wisdom in Living Life Ministry Training Center located at 12408 A Old White Horse Rd., in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

Christmas is a joyful time of year when families and friends come together and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God became man and came to earth to demonstrate His love and provide a way for mankind to be saved from eternal separation from God through the sacrifice of His shed blood.

This week’s article features one of, if not the best, Southern Gospel Music song-writer of all time. His name is Mosie Lister. Mosie was born September 8, 1921, in Cochran, Georgia. He learned to read music almost as soon as he learned to read. At the age of 12 he begin taking violin lessons and this helped Mosie develop his ear for music. As a teenager he began to hear songs in his mind and also begin to put these ideas on paper. After high school he attempted to get into the country music field and shifted his violin lessons to country fiddle and guitar. He soon became a top-ranked fiddle player winning almost every contest he entered.

Lights that twinkled gently among fragrant greens adorning the historic Gassaway Mansion seemed to celebrate with those gathered to witness as the Order of the Palmetto was conferred. The Gassaway was the setting for Dr. James Henry Thompson, affectionately known by many as Jimmy, to receive the award on Sunday afternoon, December 6, 2009. The Order of the Palmetto is the state's highest civilian honor awarded for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to the state and nation. In nominating Dr. Thompson, Jim Barbare noted Dr. Thompson's status as a pioneer of Christian broadcasting and as a humanitarian to the community and to the world. He stated, "We note that. Jimmy Thompson went about doing good during the time in his life when he was physically able. He LIVED philanthropy in every facet of his life rather than concentrate on just one major effort. His life's mission was to reach out to the downtrodden, the needy, and the grief-stricken. He used his personal funds and influence to accomplish his mission."

Lt. Gov. André Bauer and parents, William and Saundrea Jill Bauer.

Changing the Electorate - Part 1

President Barack Obama’s poll num-bers are in a steep dive. According to the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll on December 13, only 23 percent of American voters strongly approve of his job performance. Strong disapproval is registered by a whopping 42 percent. Rasmussen’s Presidential Approval Index has fallen to a record low of –19. Overall, 47 percent of voters somewhat approve of the President’s performance, down from a lofty 65 percent during his first days in office. A majority, 53 percent, now disapproves, but it is the shattering 42 percent indicating strong disapproval that demonstrates the ferocity of voter discontent with his policies and proposed legislative agenda. This is an early indication of a potentially high turnout of anti-Obama voters versus a weak turnout of pro-Obama voters, unless political sentiments change dramatically by the 2010 elections. Among the crucial unaffiliated or independent voters, Obama is racking up a catastrophic 49 percent strong disapproval rating compared to only 21 percent strong approval.

On April 6-7, 1862, tens of thousands of soldiers, both Union and Confederate, fought bravely on the field of battle at a place called Pittsburg Landing, a point on the Tennessee River in southwestern Tennessee. That altercation came to be known as the battle of Shiloh.

In the last installment of this travel series I told you of my most recent visit to Shiloh. This week I would like to tell you about another conflict that took place in the same vicinity a century later.

The war between good and evil has apparently been raging since the beginning of time. Deception has been a tool used by those who would employ evil to achieve evil goals since the serpent deceived Eve and tricked her into eating the “forbidden fruit” in the Garden of Eden.

During earlier times, deception was practiced by individuals on individuals or relatively small groups. But now, in the electronic age, deception has become a “science” practiced routinely by corporations, media moguls and governments on entire racial, religious, economic or political groups. Deception has become a tool for achieving wealth and power over others.

Heather and Raquelle Sheen, the harp duo known as Joyful Harps, have recently released a new CD called Joyful Harps Yesteryear. This is their sixth CD and, like all the others, features their original arrangements for twin Celtic harps.

Objectives and Strategies for Each Goal will be Voted on Individually in Early 2010

After receiving legal advice from the County Attorney, Greenville County Council, by a voice vote, approved the portions of the Comprehensive County Plan mandated by state law.

Action on Appendix F was deferred until next year except for the 22 goals contained therein that will be voted on individually by Council beginning in January and February of 2010. (See the 22 goals listed elsewhere in this issue).

State GOP Chairman Karen Floyd Installed GCRWC Officers

Kathy Davis became the president of the Greenville County Republican Women’s Club during installation ceremonies at the Poinsett Club in Greenville, Thursday, December 3rd.  The gavel was passed to Davis by outgoing President Geri Warren, who has provided dynamic leadership through an unprecedented period of growth and achievements. GCRWC is currently the largest Republican Women’s Club in South Carolina, and has a reputation for activism and influence that has been a magnet for attracting candidates for national as well as statewide office who are anxious to speak before the influential club membership. Geri Warren was chosen President for the Year by the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women and under her leadership the GCRWC received the Federation’s Diamond Award.

The Museum and Library of Confederate History Each Friday

The 16th Regiment, Camp 36, Sons of Confederate Veterans Museum and Library of Confederate History  presents Christmas in Dixie, December 2009 each Friday evening from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. through December 18th at 15 Boyce Ave. in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, was a wakeup call that led to the greatest military buildup in world history and a national commitment to fight until victory was achieved.

A look back in history reveals that Americans paid a heavy price in finances and blood while the Communists in Russia and China received the spoils. Since World War II, American wars in Korea and Vietnam have been fought in defense of free people threatened by Communist aggressors. American politicians have denied victory to the armed forces in each instance.

Citizen Ed Paxton was the only person to sign up to speak at the December 2nd meeting of Greenville County Council.

Paxton speaks slowly and deliberately. There is no mistaking what he says and he typically does not use words lightly.

For months now we have been hearing from the Democrats that we need a comprehensive health care reform, that the American people want this and that it will save money.  Now we are hearing that it will actually reduce the deficit by some three-quarters of a trillion dollars over time...that period of time I'm not quite sure about, but having seen government in action I can guarantee it will not reduce the deficit.  Listening to the Senator's (Reid's) comments at the press briefing this afternoon I felt myself in the position that Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina succumbed to when he shouted "Liar" as the President spoke on the health care bill earlier.

Dr. Jerome Corsi Denied Access

The Copenhagen Global Climate Convention that is billed as “a major step forward in global governance” is set to begin Monday, December 7, 2009. It is ironic that the conference that could result in the loss of freedom for Americans begins on the anniversary of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

President Obama is scheduled to speak on the opening day and make promises to the world for the American people to keep.