Hello everyone. Hope you all had a happy halloween. Local news coming up, first the birthday wishes from Gottrocks the Birthday Fairy. I want to say thank you to all of the Facebook birthday wishes. Wow, still going through mails and replying. Makes a scorpio ssta’ like me feel good.

Happy birthday to other fellow and sister scorpios: Rhonda G. Puckett, Linda Hair, Will Conner, Billy Gresham, Doug Wessinger, Beth Poston, Kimberely Gault, Mickey Yarbrough, Georgia Felker, Ashley Arrowood, “Joanie Pie” also known as “Sport” Stevens, Blake Chick, Felicia K. Keisler and Robin G. Senn. Note to Whitmirians, when we go to former resident Robin Senn’s Facebook page to send wishes on her page ask her how to drive a small car in reverse without a GPS system.

Remembering Coach Raines

In local news and on a very sad note, Whitmire lost one of its favorite sons and an unforgettable pillar of our community.

Retired Whitmire High teacher and coach Irby Lee Raines Jr. passed away on Oct. 29. Irby, a native Whitmirian was the son of Pauline and Irby Raines Sr. Irby was born into a sports loving family. His tather, Irby Sr., was baseball player during the textile league era, and Irby Jr. and his brothers June and Eddie excelled in athletics at Whitmire High School. Naturally their family sports dynasty led all three brothers to the career field of education and sports.

Irby, a Newberry College graduate, received his masters degree from Winthrop University. He was one of the most popular, loved and respected teacher/coach during his 36 year career with Whitmire schools. Irby was known for his easy going, casual, approachable demeanor. His loyalty and thoughtfulness to his friends with visits and phone calls. Irby was a member of the Family of Golfers at the Whitmire Golf Course. He kept a running list of “The Foursome Members of The Golfers in Heaven.”

Irby loved and was dedicated to his family, his pets through the years, especially his dog “Lady,” his church and his love for the Town of Whitmire itself. Irby is survived by his wife Phyliss, daughter Abby, son Mark and four grandchildren, his younger brothers, June and Eddie, nieces, nephews, and many friends. We send our best wishes prayers and thoughts to Irby’s family members.

A Jaycees Christmas

In local news, the Jaycees Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. on the west end of Main Street, the Railroad Avenue parking lot. The parade will be Dec. 8 at noon. No entry fee, but float rental need to be called in asap. Contact Amy Silvers at 803-944-1959 or Sue Hollingsworth at 803-694-3739. E-mail the Jaycees at whitmirejaycees@yahoo.com.

The members of First Baptist Church have a their Young at Heart meeting planned for Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker is Chrystal Harsha.

Whitmire Community School

The Veterans Day program at the Whitmire Community School is Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m. The program is co-cordinated with the VFW Post #70. The guest speaker will be Ret. Col. Scott Cain. The WCS concert band will perform special military selections.

Now, let’s talk about the recent successful Halloween carnival and Trunk-or-Treat, which was held at the city gym and on Main Street. The Whitmire Jaycees had an orange car with glowing orange lights around the trunk as the kids and their parents filled their pumpkins with goodies and then made their way over to the city gym.

The Athletic Booster Club members deserve another round of applause for all of their hard work and efforts in the decorations, setting up the games and events. Volunteers also included WCS students and teachers. Betty Thompson and Lana Wagner handled the door duties, while Nina Wagegner and and Gwen Clark sold memberships and took donations, while WCS Assistant Principal Martha Suber handled the emcee duties for the costume contest, cake walk and raffle drawing. Suber had the ghouls and goblins dancing to the latest “Pop It, Lock, and Drop It” hit songs. Coach Jarrod King seemed to have spent the longest time in the dunking pool, as the lines remained steady over several hours.

The winners of the costume contest were, adult winner Logan Hensley as The Mad Hatter, the 14-17 year old category winner Amanda Crisp and Joseph McClanahan as the Vampire Couple, the 10-14 year old winner category winner Price Alexander, the 4-9 winner category winner Baxley Alexander and the 1-3 year category winner, Brooklynn Babb.

The Booster Club Carnival coordinator Nina Wagner adds, “We want to give a big thank you to our local sponsors and business who made donations for prizes: Roches’ Pharmacy, China #1, Thomas Grill and Grocery, Pearl’s Café, Whitmire Food Mart, Rebecca’s Salon, Krystal Kleen Car Wash, Piggly Wiggly and Riverside Tires, all of Whitmire.

The next big Whitmire event is the upcoming Christmas parade. More details in upcoming editions. We depend on you for news so send me your news, photos and group events to: news2cassie@yahoo.com