Happening Now
Two F-16s from the South Carolina Air National Guard fly over Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in honor of health care workers around the state recently.
Prisma Health Tuomey's 5-year agreement with government ends
Sumter Item's Fireside Fund helps Rembert woman keep home heated while she plans to move into senior home
Sumter region gives 8,606 gift shoeboxes; Individuals can still pack a box online for Operation Christmas Child
BRYANT
Sumter deputies make 2 arrests on separate shooting incidents
KAREEM WILSON / THE SUMTER ITEM Duggie Doggs Express, 1255 Hastings Drive in Sumter, is expected to open Dec. 1.
Duggie Doggs Express opening in Sumter off Broad Street in December

100 years of giving: Sumter's Porter family creates blessing bag Thanksgiving tradition to honor their grandmother’s service

Marguerite Porter’s 100 years of compassion and help for others in her community inspired her family to create Marguerite’s Mission to give to those in shelters.
When asked how it felt to turn 100 years old, Marguerite Porter sighed with disbelief. “I just don’t think about it,” she said.Always being a giver, she never thought about her age …

Geraldine Singleton, who has prepared a Thanksgiving meal for those in need for more than three decades, cooks for the annual feast at her home in Sumter. This year, she cooked nine turkeys and sides for the takeout event held on Saturday.
Thanksgiving turkey takeout: Singleton continues her holiday tradition of sharing love, giving back in Sumter
ULLRICH
South Carolina jobless rate 6th lowest in U.S.
Don't let a fire ruin your Thanksgiving Day: Sumter fire prevention specialist shares tips for safe cooking, frying

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020

View this issue

Browse other issues

Studio Sumter

Sumter Today: Alice Drive Middle School marks another STEM milestone

Alice Drive Middle School made waves when it became nationally STEM certified in 2015.Then, they had five STEM-specific elective classes focusing on science, technology, engineering and math …

Sumter girls win Zaxby's Clasic
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell knows he can expect effort and dedication day to day at practice. Other than that, the Tigers long-time leader doesn't how this season will unfold.
Brownell urging consistency for Clemson amid COVID concerns
Former Crestwood running back Ty'Son Williams (34) may have a chance to make the Baltimore active roster for the Ravens' Thanksgiving day matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers after two of the team's running backs tested positive for the coronavirus.
Virus issues for Ravens may open the door for former Crestwood RB Williams
South Carolina guard A.J. Lawson, the Gamecocks' leading scorer and 3-point shooter, returned to school for his junior season after exploring the NBA draft process.
South Carolina plans to make most of the season amid COVID
South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston (4) and the Gamecocks look to pick up where they left off last season after winning the South Eastern Conference.
Staley says her 'nice' Gamecocks need to prove they can win
Poll of the Week

This May 2019 photo shows a plate of turkey, mash potatoes and gravy and a side of sauteed broccoli rabe, corn and onions with crispy bacon, on a table in New York. If you remember that the turkey breast will take less time to cook than the legs, and that you can get a head start on your gravy, Thanksgiving will be a whole lot less stressful. (Cheyenne Cohen/Katie Workman via AP)

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Have a question you'd like us to ask? Email editor@theitem.com.

View results

More local news
ANDERSON
Lee County School District names 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year
PHOTO PROVIDEDSeamen Apprentice Kya Cumming of Sumter serves aboard USS Constitution.
Sumter native earns basic historian qualification aboard USS Constitution
City will collect residential garbage on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
Summerton man struck by vehicle, killed

More News

More Sports
PHOTOS: Lee Academy falls to Thomas Heyward in SCISA 1A championship game
PHOTOS: Sumter takes down River Bluff 25-13 in 5A playoffs
PHOTOS: Laurence Manning falls to Hammond 26-6 in the SCISA 3A championship game
Sumter wide receiver Lodaine Redwood (11) catches a touchdown pass during the Gamecocks' 25-13 win over River Bluff on Friday.
Sumter advances in 5A playoffs with 25-13 win over River Bluff
Laurence Manning's Jackson Brown (22) avoids a Hammond tackler during LMA's 26-6 loss in the SCISA 3A state championship game.
Laurence Manning falls to Hammond 26-6 in SCISA 3A championship

More Sports

Panorama

Council of Garden Clubs names November yards of the month

The tiny community of Wedgefield is a nice place to visit if you want to feel that "fall is in the air." At Wedgefield Presbyterian Church, pansies have been planted to replace waning summer flowers. Placed under the church's sign, the pansies add …

More Panorama

Nation & World
MURPHY
U.S. agency ascertains Biden as winner, lets transition begin

WASHINGTON - The General Services Administration ascertained Monday that President-elect Joe Biden is the "apparent winner" of the Nov. 3 election, clearing the way for the start of the transition from President Donald Trump's administration and …

FDA allows emergency use of antibody drug President Trump received U.S. health officials Saturday agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month. The Food and Drug …
General Motors will recall about 7 million big pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators.
GM to recall 7M vehicles globally to replace Takata air bags DETROIT (AP) - General Motors will recall about 7 million big pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The announcement came Monday after the U.S. government told the automaker it had to recall 6 …
Sam Hinthron carries his cat, Giro, in a backpack while looking to board a commuter train to Boston, Friday, Nov. 20, in Providence, Rhode Island. With the coronavirus surging out of control, the nation's top public health agency pleaded with Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving and not to spend the holiday with people from outside their household.
Millions stick to Thanksgiving travel plans More than 1 million Americans a day packed airports and planes during the weekend even as coronavirus deaths surged across the U.S. and public health experts begged people to stay home and avoid big Thanksgiving gatherings. And the crowds are …
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS EMT Giselle Dorgalli, second from right, performs chest compressions on a patient who tested positive for coronavirus in the emergency room at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday.
Daily COVID-19 deaths in U.S. reach highest level since May The surging coronavirus is taking an increasingly dire toll across the U.S. just as a vaccine appears at hand, with the country now averaging more than 1,300 COVID-19 deaths per day - the highest since the calamitous spring in and around New York …

More Nation & World News

State News
South Carolina officials eye single drug for execution plan

COLUMBIA (AP) — The state of South Carolina says an inmate scheduled to be executed next week could be put to death with a lethal dose of just one drug if officials cannot get hold of all three …

Rate of rejected S.C. ballots without signatures drops in 2020 COLUMBIA (AP) - Absentee ballots in South Carolina were turned in without required signatures at a lower rate in the 2020 election than the presidential election four years ago. About 0.7% of mailed-in ballots lacked witness signatures this …
PHOTO PROVIDED
Part 2 in a series about Eudora Farms: Dreams and dreamers and drive-thru safaris Imagine getting a private tour of Disneyland led by Walt Disney himself. That's how I felt as I walked the Eudora Farms property in Salley with owner and entrepreneur Mark Nisbet. I've always heard that every great dream begins with a dreamer. In …
Visitors enjoy the sights and sounds at Woods Bay State Park in Olanta.
S.C. State Parks to offer free admission Nov. 27 COLUMBIA - Admission will be free at state parks in South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 27, as the Park Service joins the national #OptOutside initiative. The promotion, sponsored by REI, encourages people to spend some time in the great outdoors the day …
HUTTO
South Carolina Senate elects Hutto as new minority leader COLUMBIA - The new leader of South Carolina Senate Democrats said he wants his colleagues to concentrate on better jobs, health care and education instead of getting caught up in partisan fights. Sen. Brad Hutto of Orangeburg will take up the …

More State News

Obituaries
PATRICIA ANN BROWN

DALZELL - Patricia Ann Brown, 67, widow of Gary "Bush" Ray, died on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at her home. Born on July 5, 1953, in Sumter, she was a daughter of Dorothy Holliday Brown Baker and the late Leroy Brown. She was a member of Bethesda …

MAGGIE MCCOY SKIPPER

Maggie McCoy Skipper was born on Aug. 30, 1938, one of 14 siblings to the late Jimmy and Darkie McCoy Davis. She departed this life on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at NHC Healthcare in Sumter. Maggie, as she was called by many, received her education …

DAVID LAWS JR.

Elder David Laws Jr., husband of Willie Mae "Loretta" Laws, departed this life on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at his home. He was born on Oct. 27, 1955, in Sumter. The family is receiving relatives and friends from 3 to 6 p.m. daily at the home, …

TYONE DONELL BANNISTER

Tyone Donell "Deek" Bannister, 39, died on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence. He was born on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1980, in Clarendon County, to Janet Bannister Junius and Herbert Junious. Funeral services are …

LOUISE JENNINGS

Louise Jennings, 97, died on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at KershawHealth Medical Center at Camden. Born on Dec. 22, 1922, in Lee County, she was a daughter of Henry Green and Louise Cabbagestalk. In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the …

More Obituaries

Celebrations
MR., MRS. JIMMY GRIFFIN
Griffins celebrate 50 years Jimmy and Nancy Griffin, of Sumter, celebrated their 50th anniversary on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at their home. Their two children are Lacey Griffin Ray of Apex, North Carolina, and Leigh Griffin Carter and her husband, Ross, of Cary, North …

More Celebrations

Faith
Church News: Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Thursday, Dec. 3 - Blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Pinewood Baptist Church, 10 E. Fulton St., Pinewood, announces: * Tuesday, Nov. 24 - The church will host a community …
Church News: Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Thursday, Dec. 3 - Blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, 3285 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday - A celebratory parade for the …
Church News: Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Thursday, Dec. 3 - Blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Knitting Hearts Community Ministry, which meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday, Nov. 14 - …
Church News: Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, announces: * Thursday, Dec. 3 - Blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Dalzell United Methodist Church, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, announces: * Now meeting 9:30-10:30 a.m. each Sunday in the …
Dear Abby
Pets for adoption
Chaplin would be a cool new buddy for any family

FAR LEFT: Chaplin is a housebroken 10-week-old male American shorthair. He is wonderful with other cats and children. Chaplin loves to run and play and chase cat toys. He would make a cool new buddy for any family. The Sumter SPCA is located at …

Weddings
MRS. DUSTIN PARSHLEY
Horton-Parshley Sierra Horton of Turbeville and Dustin Parshley of New Zion were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at Perry's Pond. The bride is the daughter of Robbie Horton of Manning and Heidi Horton of Turbeville, and the granddaughter of …
MR. AND MRS. BRYAN THOMPSON
Richburg-Thompson ALCOLU - Dixie Richburg of Davis Station and Bryan Joseph Thompson of Manning were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Lakewood Plantation. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Craig Richburg of Davis Station and …
MRS. MATTHEW JOSEY
Cromer-Josey SaraLouise Cromer of Sumter and Matthew Samuel Josey of Florence were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Paul Cromer III, the …
MRS. JONATHAN hunter AYRES
Catoe-Ayres Emma Suzanne Catoe of Sumter and Jonathan Hunter Ayres of Howell, New Jersey, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at First Baptist Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Allen and Lisa Catoe and the granddaughter of …

More Weddings

Engagements
MISS LYNCH, MR. COKER
Lynch-Coker Mr. and Mrs. Neal C. Lynch of Alcolu announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Lorena Lynch of Alcolu, to Zachary Scott Coker of Turbeville, son of Mr. A. Lanair Coker and Ms. Lucia Welsh Coker, both of Turbeville.The bride-elect is the …
MISS WILSON
Wilson-Davis Mr. and Mrs. John Joe Wilson Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter, Olivia Dean Wilson, to Raymond Bradley Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Lee Davis, all of Manning. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Kay McFaddin Gibbons and …
MISS WILLIAMS, MR. JORDAN
Williams-Jordan Mr. Ernest and Mrs. Cherell Butler of Aiken and Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Williams of Saluda announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy D. Williams of Simpsonville, to Derrick L. Jordan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jordan of …
Bultman-Satterfield Ms. Cynthia D. Bultman of Sumter announces the engagement of her daughter, Megan Bultman of Sumter, to William Satterfield of Heard County, Georgia, son of William and Kelly Satterfield of Heard County. The bride-elect is also the daughter of Mr. …
Reflections
Employees pose outside the W.B. Boyle Livery, Sale and Feed Stables.

Reflections by Sammy Way: Recollections of downtown Sumter in late 1800s presented by Hubert G. Osteen, part III

The third and final segment of the report written by Hubert G. Osteen detailing his recollections of downtown Sumter begins at the intersection of North Main and Canal streets. "Opposite the (John) Gayle house was the furniture and undertaking …

More

Yesteryear
Cedrick Gipson, a fifth-grader at Scott's Branch Elementary School, dances with Suzy Connolly, a senior at Dreher High School in Columbia, on Nov. 15, 1995. Students and 12 performing teachers from Dreher traveled to Summerton to perform the "Nutcracker" for students and give them dance instruction. Connolly said Dreher's outreach helps students make the best of their natural abilities by not being afraid to express themselves through dance.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter sailors have reunion at Trinidad; man lights up intersections 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 May 20 - 23 - Youths still are required to register for the draft upon reaching the age of 18, in spite of the fact that a law has been passed temporarily banning their induction, R.T. Brown Jr. of local selective service …
Clemson's Jeremy Bauer (44) and Coastal Carolina's Durwood Owens go up for the tap on Jan. 15, 1971. Other players are Clemson's Bobby Rickard, left, and Coastal's Hucks (31). CUS lost, 81-62.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: New Tuomey lobby, entrance open; Turbeville gets new mayor 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 May 14 - 18 - Three games are scheduled in the softball leagues, weather permitting. Booth Motor Co. meets Boyle Hardware Co., followed by the girls' game with the WACS meeting Royal Crown. A second men's game follows the …
The ball is in the air and the players can only wait to see which way it will go in January 1971. Sumter High School players in dark uniforms are Will Bynum, Clark Dean and Laurin McArthur. West Florence players are Nat Williams, Billy Hoylen and Lynn Morehouse.
Yesteryear by Sammy Way: Sumter baseball club will be Fiskateers; Eckerd Drugs opens 75 YEARS AGO - 1946 May 9 - 13 - The Atlantic Coast Line railroad recently announced that it is renewing the offer to send one boy and one girl delegate, from its territory in each of the six states directly served, to the Sixteenth National …

More

From the opinion pages
Columnists
MOLLETTE
Opinion: Will you have a blue or merry holiday season?
Editorial cartoon: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
OPINION: People are afraid to tell pollsters what they think
Your view
© Copyright 2020 The Sumter Item | Terms of Use / Privacy Policy | Cancellation / Refund Policy
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions