DID YOU HEAR: Character campaign has big plans for fall
By TUCKER LYON, T&D Government WriterFriday, February 25, 2005Big doings for Orangeburg's Community of Character program is in the works, including a fall conference that will showcase the city and a possible follow-up to the popular "Porch Reflections."
Mayor Paul Miller informed City Council this past week about plans for the day-and-a-half fall conference.
"The mayor of Aiken, Fred Cavenaugh, asked about Orangeburg hosting a Community of Character seminar, like the one that was done in Aiken," Miller said. "It will showcase the things we've done."
Jesse Eargle, retired director of Clemson University Extension Service, has been hired to serve as the conference coordinator.
In conjunction with the conference, Councilman Charlie Jernigan added that the Community of Character board is "talking about doing another book, similar to "Porch Reflections."
Published in 2003, "Porch Reflections of Orangeburg County" was made possible by grants from the Horne Foundation and the S.C. Art Commission. Proceeds went to the Community of Character initiative. Of the 1,000 copies printed, only about 150 are still available at the Chamber of Commerce.
"It was the most lucrative fund-raiser we've had," said Chamber of Commerce President David Coleman. "It was a very lucrative thing and it allowed us to do a lot of good things for the Community of Character. And, the books continue to sell."
For now, Jernigan said, board members are looking for suggestions and input on the new book. Back yards and kitchens of Orangeburg are just two of the possibilities, said the councilman, who announced that anyone with ideas should contact board member Nancy Ayers.
"It's all in the very formative stages now," Ayers said. "As part of planning for the conference, we're beating around the possibility of a second "Porch Reflections" book ...We're thinking in terms of back yards and patios. We're wide open. It's really in just the beginning stage and it may not materialize. If it does, it would be a wonderful time to present it at that October conference ... We would be doing it in conjunction with this other activity to spotlight the good things in Orangeburg and Orangeburg County."
