Fall 1998
Miss South Carolina Attends Emerald Center Dance
| Over 400 people with disabilities and special needs, staff, and volunteers attended the fall dance on October 8 at the Ware Shoals National Guard Armory. Special guest was Miss South Carolina, Wendy Willis. | |
| "How fortunate we are to have a young lady like Wendy representing our state. Her love for people and enthusiasm was contagious," stated J. Felton Burton, Executive Director of Emerald Center. | |
| Upon Miss South Carolina’s arrival, she received a rousing ovation. She entertained, autographed pictures, and many individuals enjoyed dancing with her throughout the evening. | |
| The basis of Miss South Carolina’s
platform is promoting the awareness of and support for people that are mentally and
physically challenged. "Through advocacy and education, I am increasing the knowledge
of our leaders and citizens alike regarding the potential of people with mental and
physical disabilities. I truly believe that barriers are based on fear, and through
increased awareness and knowledge, we together can help remove these barriers,"
stated Miss South Carolina. "Love Lifts Us Up" was the theme for the dance which was performed by Louise Robinson, Lead Service Coordinator at Emerald Center. Musical entertainment was provided by "Black Tie Affair". |
John Mark McQuown singing to Miss South Carolina |
| "Only through our support of the Emerald Center Foundation are we able to provide the wonderful opportunities such as this dance for people with special needs. I wish that everyone could visit Emerald Center and one of these dances just one time to witness the love, acceptance, and sheer enjoyment experienced by all," stated Dr. Charles Bobo, Chairman of the Emerald Center Foundation. "I would like to commend the Emerald Center staff for always going above and beyond the call of duty to assure that each person attending the dance enjoys themselves to the fullest." | |
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From The Chairman… |
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| On behalf of the Emerald Center Foundation, I would like to thank you for your support. Through your contributions, we have been able to meet many needs. However, during the past year, we have experienced a significant increase in the requests for assistance. | |
| As we approach the end of 1998 and begin the holiday season, we ask that you consider contributing to the Emerald Center Foundation. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and special needs in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties. | |
| Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a New Year of peace and happiness. | |
|
Charles B. Bobo, M.D. Emerald Center Foundation |
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Bell Atlantic Mobile Recognized
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From left - Robert Edmunds, Regional Director; J. Felton Burton, Executive Director of Emerald Center; Andrea Prater, Store Manager; and Jerry Fountain, Regional Vice President. |
| The Emerald Center Foundation recognized Bell Atlantic Mobile for their many contributions to helping people with disabilities and special needs in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties. Bell Atlantic Mobile has served as title sponsor for the Emerald Center Bell Atlantic Mobile Martha Barnette Golf Classic for the past seven years. The golf classic is held annually the first Thursday in May at the Greenwood Country Club. |
| "On behalf of all the people with disabilities and their families who have received help, I would like to thank Bell Atlantic Mobile for their support. Through their many contributions they have not only enhanced the quality of life for people with disabilities but have also helped promote disabilities awareness throughout the state," stated J. Felton Burton, Executive Director. |
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| November | |
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| 24 | Greenwood Gym-11:30 a.m. Saluda Center-11:30 a.m. Ware Shoals Center-12:00 |
| 26-27 | Thanksgiving Holidays |
December |
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| 5 | Christmas Bazaar - EC Gift Shop 10 - 1, 929 Phoenix St., Greenwood |
| 10 | Saluda Christmas Program - 6 p.m. Saluda High School Annex |
| 15 | Ware Shoals Christmas Program - 7 p.m., 5 Griffin Drive, Ware Shoals |
| 17 | Greenwood Christmas Program - 7 p.m. Lander Cultural Arts Center. |
| 22 | Staff Christmas Breakfast at
Centers 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Client Christmas Parties - Greenwood: 10 a.m., Saluda: 10:30 a.m., Ware Shoals: 1 p.m. |
| 23-25 | Christmas Holidays |
| 31 | New Year’s Holiday |
January |
|
| 1 | New Year’s Holiday |
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Congratulations! |
| Dr. Nancy Fouche, Associate Professor of Education at Lander University, was honored by Emerald Center recently for her many years of service to children with disabilities. Dr. Fouche has directed Camp Sunshine, a summer camp for school aged children, held at Lander University each summer. | |
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Burton Honored for Dedication to Developmental Disability Field
| J. Felton Burton, Executive Director of the Emerald Center Multi-County Board for Disabilities and Special Needs, received the Statewide Professional Award from the South Carolina American Association for Mental Retardation at the Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach recently. This award recognizes excellence and outstanding service on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. | |
| Burton, founder of the Emerald Center Multi-County Board for Disabilities and Special Needs, has devoted over 40 years to people with disabilities and special needs and their families. He and his wife, Doris, became active in efforts to establish community programs in 1952 when their daughter, Debbie, was born with Down’s syndrome. He volunteered his services while being employed with the South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation until his retirement in 1982. He has devoted the past 16 years exclusively to his work with the multi-county board for disabilities, which has |
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| grown from an agency providing services for 8 individuals with 2 staff in one county to an agency serving over 800 individuals with 325 staff in five counties. | |
| "Mr. Burton has shared his expertise in the varying levels of care not only in South Carolina but in many other states. He has spent untold hours on statewide needs of people with disabilities. He has been very active as a local leader and has encouraged community and family involvement in providing services," stated Risley Linder, Chairperson of SCAAMR Nominations Committee. | |
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Emerald Center Group Experiences Charleston’s Southern Hospitality
80 people recently spent a weekend in Charleston. After departing Emerald Center on Friday morning, the first stop was shopping in downtown Charleston followed by a dinner cruise of Charleston harbor aboard the "Spirit of South Carolina". On Saturday morning it was off to Folly Beach and then back to Quality Suites for some afternoon fun in the pool. Saturday evening everyone enjoyed dinner at the "Old Country Buffet" and on to Frankie’s Fun Park, Charleston’s most exciting Family Amusement Park. A walking tour of the historic district was on tap for Sunday morning before departing for Emerald Center.
Visiting Charleston's historic Battery
This trip was made possible through the assistance of the Emerald Center Foundation.
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On August 28, the 2nd annual "WE CAN SKI"
outing was held at Baker’s Creek State Park in McCormick. This outing was coordinated
by the Greenwood County Health Department and the CRS Clinic. Emerald Center assisted by
providing transportation.
The event was open to any child in Greenwood County with disabilities and provided adaptive skis, boat rides and pontoon rides. Numerous lifeguards were on hand to assist. "There was a tremendous cheering section on shore as each child departed and returned", stated Louise Robinson, Emerald Center Service Coordinator. "The whole day was focused on the children and allowing them to enjoy the water."
Rashad Davis, Emerald Center Development Learning Center, getting ready to take off on skis. |
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Special Olympics Masters Bowling Tournament
Don Wyman (Recreator at Pritchard Community Residence) and his wife, Shirley, chaperoned and coached a team of Emerald Center athletes in Columbia, SC recently.Opening ceremonies were held on Friday at the National Guard Armory with introduction of the teams, a dinner, and dance as part of the festivities. The bowling competition was held on Saturday at the Bush River Road Bowling Center with athletes representing 28 counties competing for area teams. There were 180 Special Olympics athletes competing in 35 difference medal categories.
Gold Medal |
Silver Medal |
Bronze Medal |
| Shawn Carroll | Donnie Becknell | Eddie Weisner |
| Carl Hamilton | John Mark McQuown | |
| David Lesley |
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Bowling Teamates, from left, 1st row, John Mark McQuown, Eddie Weisner, Patricia Stepp, David Lesley,2nd row, Donnie Becknell, Josh Boatwright Shawn Carroll, Taylor Hall, and Carl Hamilton, who competed in the Special Olympics Masters State Bowling Tournament held in Columbia. |
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Developmental Learning Center Graduates
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| From left, Justin Barnes, Andrew Sanders, Isaiah Williams, Avery Koch, Christopher Summers and D’Toni Thomas |
The Developmental Learning Center serves infants and children to age three through individualized training in eye, hand, and finger coordination skills; comprehension and language skills; self-help skills; as well as social interaction. The program operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.. An after-school program is also provided at the center for 3 - 5 year olds where activities are provided to also foster the above mentioned skills.
Developmental Learning Center staff: Belinda Turner - Supervisor of Children’s Programs, Edna Brown - Teacher, Angela Lesley - Teacher, Janet Rushton - Assistant Teacher, and Deborah Armfield - Assistant Teacher.
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Davis & Epps Retire from Emerald Center
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| 1st Row from left, Caroline Dawkins, Nan Medlock, Jan Smith (QMRP - Carnell Residence), Judy Epps with Caitland Whatley, Burma Loner, Brenda Gail Epps. 2nd Row - Joe Medlock, Reverend Chris Standzell, James Epps, Phillip Loner, Frankie Epps. Not pictured - Greg Loner. |
Davis, a Mental Retardation Specialist, was employed with Emerald Center for 12 years at the Supervised Living Program at Shoals Pointe Apartments in Ware Shoals.
Epps, a Mental Retardation Specialist, was employed for 13 years at the Carnell Community Residence in Ware Shoals.
Felton Burton, Executive Director, thanked them for their dedication and many contributions to Emerald Center. "If it hadn’t been for these two Judy’s, Emerald Center would not be what it is today," stated J. Felton Burton, Executive Director of Emerald Center Multi-County Board for Disabilities and Special Ne
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