Kingstree Lifestyle

Cantor Fitzgerald initiates Martek coverage with a BUY

2009-03-28T23:26:00.001-04:00

Cantor Fitzgerald initiates coverage on Martek Biosciences (Nasdaq: MATK) with a Buy rating. Price target $33.

Cantor analyst says, "We think Martek has entered a dynamic growth phase with a five-year revenue CAGR of 18%, increasing gross margins and EPS up 63% yoy. We expect this financial trend to continue as new packaged food/beverage products fortified with Martek's omega-3 DHA oil launch into a market that increasingly understands/looks for functionally/nutritionally enhanced foods — a business we think is recession-proof. Martek is uniquely positioned in the DHA market, in our view, as the global provider of DHA derived from its proprietary algal technology production process that yields nearly odorless/colorless DHA — a significant advantage for packaged food/beverage companies — and importantly, a fully controlled production process under cGMP, a long-term advantage, we think, as the "Obama effect" impacts food regulation and safety...We expect 25% yoy earnings growth underpinned by increasing revenue with accelerating gross margins as production increases in combination with ongoing biomanufacturing process optimization — a key advantage of biotechnology platform technologies — that we anticipate will translate into solid appreciation of MATK."

Dubose, Wright take new positions at WTC

2009-03-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

Williamsburg Technical College employees Cheryl Dubose and Alexis Wright recently accepted new positions with the College.

Dubose, a Florence resident, moved from a position in accounts receivable in the college’s business office to the admissions office, where she serves as student development counselor. She received an associate’s from Williamsburg Technical College, a bachelor’s from Limestone College and a master’s from Walden University.

Wright, a Trio resident, was admissions director and is now director of enrollment and records services. She received an associate’s from Williamsburg Technical College, a bachelor’s from Limestone College and a master’s from the University of Maryland.

Scott's Bar-B-Q to hold annual picnic

2009-03-28T23:18:00.002-04:00

In spite of the nation’s tough economic times, a local tradition carries on. On Saturday, April 11, 2009, The Scott family, of Scott’s Bar-B-Que in Hemingway , SC , is showing appreciation to customers and the community in a big way. The family owned business is serving free home-cooked food with lemonade, music and more.

The Scott’s Bar-B-Que Easter Picnic is an annual appreciation event in Hemingway and has been for nearly a decade. It has grown so large that The Scotts now schedule their own family reunion to coincide with the event. They do this ensure that there are enough hands on deck to serve the community and to make certain that the legacy of giving back passes down to younger generations. This event is fun for all ages!

Scott’s Bar-B-Que is on Hwy 261 at Brunson Crossing just west of Hemingway. Food will be served from 3 p.m. until the food is gone.For more information contact Rodney Scott, pitmaster, at 843-558-0134 or rodneyscottbbq@yahoo.com

'07 Tupperware Fire: A case study

2009-03-28T22:53:00.002-04:00

The NFPA Journal in their March/April issue uses the December 2007 warehouse fire at Tupperware in Hemingway as a case study for the problems in fire control in large storage facilities. The article is very insightful on the actions taken to save the building. It also gives strategies to prevent future fires like that one.

Kiwi reporter visits Williamsburg County

2009-03-24T22:03:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, during Rep. Clyburn visit, our fair county was visited by Rosalea Barker, a reporter from New Zealand. It is interesting to see how someone from the outside views us. Read her piece at Scoop Independent News

Restaurant Review: Frances Calhoun

2009-03-17T12:42:00.004-04:00

Kingstree has a new sandwich shop - Frances Calhoun owned by Wendy Morris. The restaurant is located in the old Dubin's Men Shop building at 109 N. Academy Street. Their menu consists of classics like chicken salad, the Dubin Reuben and mix and match meat, bread, & cheese combinations.

The lunch I had there was great from a sandwich lovers perspective. It was salami and ham on fresh rye bread served with a side of potato salad and a chocolate chip cookie for desert. Add a soda and the combination came out to $6.95 plus tip.

In February, Frances Calhoun was awarded the Williamsburg Hometown Chamber's Image Award for the work Ms. Morris did the building. By bringing back a local business landmark, an award is a small token of apprecitiation.

2009 South Carolina BBQ-Shag Festival

2009-03-17T09:39:00.002-04:00

Hemingway will host their 21st Annual South Carolina BBQ-Shag Festival from April 23-25, 2009. The festivities include BBQ cookoff, beach music for shagging, kids rides, car show, and fireworks.

For more festival information call Dennis Miles at 843-344-2527 or Brooke Cockfield at 843-344-2884, or Brenda Sessions at 843-621-8023.

Restaurant Review: Scott's BBQ

2009-03-14T23:20:00.003-04:00

I love to try new things, especially food. One might say I am a foodie. In an effort to try something new, I stopped at Brunson's Crossroads outside of Hemingway recently to try a BBQ joint I had heard about - Scott's BBQ.

I went inside this country store and waited in line to get their wares, one pound of pulled pork BBQ and a barbecued chicken half. Unique for the area, the sauce was added after my order and to the quantity wanted.

My family loved the pulled pork with a heavy peppered and smokey taste. We were sampling another stores pork bbq, Scott's was gone and 3/4 of the other restaurants was left (we won't mention their name - Mother always said ,"if you can't say something nice....). It is definitely worth another pound or two in the future.

The half chicken looked and smelled great. The sauce was also applied at purchase. The chicken was well cooked but lack flavor withouth the skin. Not knowing if we were expecting great chicken like the pork or it just lacked flavor - we felt let down by the chicken half. Do not get me wrong, the chicken was good it just wasn't great like the pork.

Scott's BBQ is known outside of our area. A couple good Ol' Boys from Birmingham Southern College wrote about them (for college credit) in a 17 day BBQ Odysey. Their remarks will bring more people seeking their great pulled pork.

Cottingham's Endow Williamsburg Tech Scholarship

2009-03-14T23:11:00.001-04:00

Williamsburg Technical College recently received a scholarship donation from Dr. Walter and Beth Cottingham of Kingstree.

The $10,000 donation will endow the Walter C. and Elizabeth D. Cottingham Scholarship at the College. Criteria will be defined and the scholarship will be awarded as soon as sufficient interest accrual is realized.

“Williamsburg Tech is doing a great service to our community,” Dr. Cottingham said in a press release issued by the college. “With all of the cutbacks in state funds, tuition is all but unaffordable, and many can’t afford to go away to the four-year institutions. If we don’t educate our young people, we’re in trouble. Education is the answer to success in our county.”

Dr. Cottingham said he realizes the importance of an education because of his own experience of working his way through college. He said he and his wife are pleased to be able to offer assistance to deserving students who may also be working their way through college.

Scholarship gifts at Williamsburg Technical College are categorized in three ways. Gifts up to $1,000 become part of the General Scholarship Fund and will be awarded to eligible students as determined by the College scholarship committee. Gifts of $1,000 or more will be given in the name, honor, or memory designated by the donor or in the name of the donating organization, business or other entity. These scholarships are given each year as funded by the donor. A gift of $10,000 or more will endow a scholarship to be given in perpetuity in the name, honor, or memory of the donor. The scholarship is derived from the interest accrued on the donated amount, which must be earned before the scholarship is awarded.

Gifts made payable to the Williamsburg Technical College Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, are tax-deductible.

For information on participating in the Williamsburg Technical College Foundation Campaign for Educational Enrichment, call (843) 355-4121 or visit the college’s Office of Public Relations and Development.

Meth Lab Remnants found in Kingstree

2009-03-14T22:02:00.003-04:00

The Florence Morning News reports a maintenance worker discovered meth lab paraphernalia at home and quickly called the police. No drugs were found . The location was not released because the home is part of an ongoing investigation.

Martek Announces First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

2009-03-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

Martek recently released their unaudited results from the first quarter of 2009. Despite the economic conditions they made a profit, grew their shareholder equity, and increased their earnings per share. Read their results here.

Murder in Hemingway

2009-03-14T21:39:00.001-04:00

Williamsburg County investigators say they are trying to figure out who killed a woman in her Hemingway home.
Deputies say Cora Brown's body was found Thursday night by her brother, who forced his way inside her house after his family had not heard from her for several days.
Authorities say Brown had been shot several times.
Investigators say they have several leads, but have not named a suspect.

County High School Football Coach Pay

2009-03-03T23:49:00.002-05:00

The State newspaper has a database listing the salaries for all of the high school football coaches across the state. The three from Williamsburg county were :

Wilbert Lampkin - Kingstree High School - $69,799.00
Ken Cribb - Hemingway High School - $63,441.00
Darren Mazyck - CE Murray - $33,428

These are not bad compared to other areas in South Carolina.

One other salary of note:

John McKissick - Summerville High School - $86,400

Kingstree Federal S&L gifts to WTC

2009-02-27T23:38:00.000-05:00

Williamsburg Technical College President Dr. Cleve H. Cox recently received a $500 scholarship donation from James F. Cooper Jr. of Kingstree on behalf of Kingstree Federal Savings and Loan, where Cooper is president.
The gift to the college foundation’s Campaign for Educational Enrichment will be included in the general scholarship fund account.
It will be used to provide scholarship assistance to a qualifying student as determined by the college’s scholarship committee

FMU ARCH Program to Provide Free Health Screening

2009-02-27T23:28:00.004-05:00

The Francis Marion University ARCH Program will sponsor a free health screening for the general public on March 13 at the Williamsburg County Recreation Department, 2084 Thurgood Marshall, Kingstree, 1-5 pm.

The screenings consist of height, weight, blood pressure, finger stick blood sugar, and lab work. All patients have lab work for cholesterol, liver and kidney function drawn. Diabetics also have a hemoglobin A1C drawn (a test that measures diabetic control over the previous three months). Men over 50 (and high-risk men over 40) have PSAs drawn (a blood screening for prostate cancer).

The ARCH Program was established in 2007 by FMU to provide students with service learning opportunities in community health fields. One such opportunity is the ARCH Health Screening Program. The screening team is led by FMU’s director of community health, Paul DeMarco, MD, and Candy Yarborough, RN. It is composed of six students enrolled in majors leading to careers in the health professions such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, mental health, and social work. The team travels weekly to sites in Dillon, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties as an outreach to some of the Pee Dee’s most underserved rural communities.

The screenings are open to the public and take place in churches, schools, community centers and other appropriate locations. No appointment is necessary and no fasting is required.

For more information about the screening or the ARCH program, contact the ARCH office at 843-661-1845 or email pdemarco@fmarion.edu.

Dr. Raymond Allen named to MUSC Board

2009-02-27T22:57:00.002-05:00

Dr. Raymond K. Allen has been appointed to the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors. Allen was appointed by Dr. E. Conyers O’Bryan.

Members are nominated by the trustees of the university and serve as ambassadors in their respective regions.

Allen, a family physician in Kingstree, received his bachelor’s degree from Clemson, and his medical degree from MUSC.

Annual Chamber Dinner with 50's Theme

2009-02-27T22:54:00.001-05:00

Richie, Fonzie and the whole “Happy Days” gang will serve as hosts of the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber awards banquet on Tuesday, March 3, at the Kingstree recreation facility. The evening will kick off at 6 p.m. when the doors open for ticket holders to enjoy an hour of table viewing and socializing. At 7 p.m. the Kingstree Junior High School Showstoppers will kick off the evening by performing a short 50s repetoire.

Dinner will be catered by Brown’s Barbeque. Interspersed with awards presentations for county-wide superlatives, the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber Players will celebrate the evening’s theme, “Happy Days in Williamsburg County,“ through the eyes of the characters from the hit series “Happy Days.“ Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber office in the railway depot on Main Street in Kingstree.

All businesses and organizations are also invited to sponsor a table by decorating it in keeping with the evening’s 50s theme. Table sponsorships and seating are limited. For more information, call the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber at 843.355.6431. The public is invited to attend.

Deputies Called for Kingstree High Bus

2009-02-27T22:44:00.002-05:00

Georgetown County Deputies were called to board a Kingstree High School bus on Highmarket Street in Georgetown because of a disturbance after a game Feb. 12.

A coach said she was trying to calm everyone down but because it was the last game of the season “the students thought they could get way with anything.”

One particular student, a cheerleader, sparked the problem by refusing to move to another seat when asked to do so. The teen started “mouthing off” to the coach.
The teen called her mother from her cell phone and made it sound as if there was going to be a fight when the bus got back to Kingstree.

The coach said the teen has been a “model cheerleader” so no charges should be filed.
Kingstree police were standing by at the school when the bus arrived to make sure there were no problems.

VIA Georgetown Times

Former Kingstree resident wins Nascar 09 Championship

2009-02-15T22:20:00.002-05:00

Micheal Loyd, formerly of Kingstree, last week won Electronic Arts Champions of Gaming in NASCAR 09. He is now National Champion. Read more from The Killeen Daily Herald about their new residents title.

School District to host noted Author

2009-02-15T22:02:00.005-05:00

Williamsburg County School District will host Dori Sanders , the author of 5 books (and motivational speaker) from York, SC Friday, February 20th at Hemingway Elementary School in Hemingway, SC. We are so fortunate to have Ms. Sanders come to our district.

As part of a district wide staff development for all employees of the school district, Ms. Sanders will address the employees from 8:30 – 10:30 am and then have a book-signing session. She also plans to have a meet and greet session from 7:30 – 8:15 am.

Sykes Hiring

2009-02-15T21:37:00.002-05:00

Sykes is looking for customer service representatives at their Kingstree, SC location. They have regular and full time positions available. For more information go to their web site at Sykes Career site.

Library to Host Book Signing and Reception

2009-02-15T20:51:00.005-05:00

The Friends of the Williamsburg County Library will be hosting a reception and book signing with Judge Gordon Bubber Jenkinson. He will be speaking on his recent book A History of the Homes and People of Williamsburgh District The reception and book signing will be held on February 23rd, 2009 at 7 pm at The Williamsburg County Library on Jackson Street in Kingstree, SC.

County Council buys out of Megadump Contract

2009-02-12T00:21:00.004-05:00

After months of strife Williamsburg County Council finally acquiesced and is offering to buy out MMR Southern's contract for $750,000. Whats funny is up until third reading on the ordinance everyone on council was all for the megadump. No one had a problem with the megadump going in Salters. No residents of the eastern part of the county had a compliant. Again we as a county are spending money we do not have just to keep people in political office. Will the council give up or even reduce their travel funds of over $70,000 to reduce its expense, I doubt it.

For more passive view of this council meeting read David Green of The Weekly Observer article.

Delegation Quotes

2009-02-12T00:16:00.002-05:00

“What the heck are we doing? All you Republicans should be on the telephone ... trying to get (U.S. Sens.) Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham to get off their behinds in D.C. and help us deal with this recovery package.”
— Rep. Ken Kennedy, D-Williamsburg, expressing frustration Wednesday on the House floor about taking up bills dealing with abortions and the organization of labor unions when, he said, the state should be focusing on finding ways to deal with its budget woes.

VIA SC Politics, The State

Nursing Technology at WTC

2009-02-12T00:10:00.001-05:00

Williamsburg Technical College nursing students have replaced the tomes of books required for their profession with a convenient source they can hold in the palms of their hands. In order to make critical reference materials available to students electronically, the WTC nursing program recently started loaning each if its students a personal digital assistant (PDA) to help make their learning experience easier everywhere from the classroom to a patient’s bedside. The devices are provided for student use through grant funding.

PDAs are small devices that operate on a rechargeable battery. They are compact enough to fit in the hand or slip into a pocket, yet can carry more information than a stack of books and can perform tasks just like a computer. “The technology can help decrease medical errors and can save hours a day,” says program director Sheila Forester.

Among the printed materials available electronically are clinical procedures guides, quick-check references guides, and English/Spanish dictionaries.

Legislative Happenings

2009-02-11T23:52:00.003-05:00

Senator Yancey McGill speaks out about current legislation in the SC Legislature. New Payday lending laws are in the House of Representatives with bills on Taxation Realignment and voting procedures in the Senate.

Keefe Named Firefighter of the Year

2009-02-11T23:40:00.002-05:00

Alex Keefe of the South Lynches Fire District was name firefighter of the Year for Station 4 in Cades for 2008. The South Lynches Fire District held their annual awards banquet at The Schoolhouse Restaurant on Tuesday. For more information on their awards follow this link to Charles Tomlinson's article from the Lake City News & Post

Positions Available at Martek

2009-02-07T07:51:00.001-05:00

Martek has posted two positions available at their Kingstree facility. One postion is for an Accounting Manager and the other for a Global Procurement Director. Check out their website for more information on these two positions.

Kingstree Lions Club Recycling Project

2009-02-06T13:34:00.006-05:00

In this age of everybody wanting to be "Green", the kingstree Lions Club is doing something about it. Over the last several years the club has recycled printer cartridges. Starting last the began to recycle cell phones.

This positive step in our community helps reduce waste in our much contested landfill situation and provides revenue for the club's local projects. The club helps with eyeglasses and hearing aids for the indigent, large print books in our county library, scholarships for local teens to college and Boys and Girls state.

If you would like to help the Lions Club in this endeavor there are drop boxes at Williamsburg First National Bank and Drucker Drugs for your cartridges and old cell phones.

College Goal Saturday at Williamsburg Tech

2009-02-05T15:28:00.002-05:00

On February 28th, 2009 Williamsburg Technical College will host a College Goal Saturday.
The event is designed to assist high school seniors and their parents, and individuals with a high school diploma who are considering higher education, in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a college application. It will be held from 10 am to 1 pm on the campus.

Contact Williamsburg Technical College for more information at 355-4110.

VIA SCNOW by Nicole Boone

Chamber to host breakfast on Card Check

2009-02-05T15:14:00.002-05:00

The Williamsburg County Hometown Chamber will host a breakfast on the proposed Card Check Program. The speaker will be Lamar Edwards of Firestone Building Products in Nashville. he will speak on ways business can reject the Card Check agenda. Breakfast will be held at Santee Electric Cooperative at 8 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.

For more information or to RSVP contact Leslee Spivey at 843-355-6431 or whtc@ftc-i.net .

Kingstree Little League Signup

2009-02-04T23:05:00.003-05:00

Little League registration for the Town of Kingstree will continue until February 11, 2009. Contact the Town Recreation Center for more information at 355-7789.

Mitcheom Center: Paisley meets with Citizens about Megadump

2009-02-04T22:43:00.004-05:00

David Green of The Weekly Observer has written an insightful article about the January 22, 2009 meeting at the Mitcheom Center between County Supervisor Stanley Pasley and a few citizens about their concerns over the proposed megadump. This is a good question and answer session about the proposed dump site and the costs of not continuing with it.

Williamsburg Couty residents named to FMU President’s, Dean’s lists

2009-02-04T22:11:00.005-05:00

Officials at Francis Marion University have named 335 full-time students and 11 part-time students to the President’s List and 554 full-time students and 15 part-time students to the Dean’s List for the 2008 fall semester.

Of those students listed on the President’s List, 167 earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the semester, the highest possible ratio a student can receive.

Students named to the President’s List must have earned a 3.75 or higher GPA for the semester. Full-time students named to the President’s List must have taken at least 12 semester hours, and part-time students named to the list must have completed at least 12 hours at FMU, declared a major and completed at least six hours during the semester.

Dean’s List students earned a semester GPA between 3.25 and 3.749. Full-time students named to the Dean’s List must have taken at least 12 hours, and part-time students named to that list must have completed at least 12 hours at FMU, declared a major and completed at least six hours during the semester.

Presidents List:
Grade point averages are based on a 4.0 system. * denotes 4.0 GPA

*Kayla L. Bellflowers, Hemingway, Middle Level Education Math and Social Studies
Lauren R. Coleman, Hemingway, Elementary Education
Winter N. Grier, Hemingway, Accounting-Second Degree
Cynthia N. Johnson, Kingstree, Political Science
Mindy A. Parsons, Hemingway, English-Applied Teacher Certification
Johnny I. Rishmawi, Hemingway, Political Science
Lana B. Scott, Kingstree, Biology

Dean's List:

Laquita S. Anderson, Hemingway, Psychology
Brantley A. Baker, Cades, Chemistry
Michael B. Brank, Cades, Economics
Trina L. Bull, Kingstree, Early Childhood Education/Applied
Kassie E. Hughes, Hemingway, Mass Communication/Convergence
Joshua R. Johnson, Hemingway, Mass Communication
John T. Lewis, Hemingway, Chemistry
Patricia A. McMenamin, Kingstree, Nursing/Second Degree
Christopher B. Owens, Hemingway, Dual Engineering
Ebone B. Pressley, Kingstree, Psychology
Megan B. Sims, Kingstree, Biology
Traci D. Squires, Hemingway, Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy
Ellen E. Stone, Hemingway, Biology/Pre-Nursing
Crystalyn M. Watford, Kingstree, Visual Arts/Painting Specialty
Krysten M. Whetsell, Kingstree, Political Science

Congratulations to all of these students.

Springbank Retreat

2009-02-02T17:36:00.002-05:00

Just off Hwy 527, east out of Kingstree is Springbank Retreat, a center for eco-spirituality and the arts. Located on 80 acres of wooded trails and low country landscape, Springbank is a perfect place for rejuvination and reflection. They recently released their 2009 Schedule of retreats and mini-sabbacticals.

Springbank is a forgotten treasure in our community. It is something we should cherish and nuture in our community development process.

For more information on Springbank call 800-671-0361 or their website

Russell Marlowe & Carolina Custom Cycles

2009-02-02T17:21:00.002-05:00

One of Kingstree's hidden treasures is Russell Marlowe and his custom motorcycle shop. Russell has won many awards and has had his bikes featured in many magazines. The video below shows off his art and craft.

Free Classified Ads

2009-01-28T15:12:00.002-05:00

Kingstree Classifieds are part of Kingstree Lifestyle Blog. They are for advertising any goods or services available in the Kingstree and Williamsburg County area. Please submit your Real estate, Autos, Farm Equipment, Animals, etc. via email to: pub.lifestyle.kingstreeclassified@blogger.com

Kingstree Classified can be found at the link in the right column.

Williamsburg County Residents Protest "Megadumps"

2009-01-27T21:59:00.003-05:00

Today people from Williamsburg and Marlboro Counties protested having megadumps in South Carolina on the Statehouse steps. The groups found support from State Senators Leventis (Sumter) and Malloy (Hartsville). Malloy introduced a bill today that would put a moratorium on all new landfills and landfill expansions until 2011.

Governor Sanford has proposed a $3/ton tipping fee on all out-of-state garbage coming into the state's landfills. He wants to bring revenue into the state, while the higher fee should discourage waste from other states.

Read more at SC Now

County Unemployment Rises

2009-01-27T13:06:00.002-05:00

Williamsburg County's unemployment for the month of December rose to 14.2% from 12.5% in November. We are currently in a three way tie for 8th highest in unemployment with Dillion and McCormick Counties.

South Carolina unemployment is at 9.5% up from 8.4% in November. Allendale County is the highest in the state with 19.7% unemployment.

Read the South Carolina Employment Commission Workforce Trends Report for more information.

Farmer's Telephone Raises Food for Food Banks

2009-01-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

In December, Farmer's Telephone Cooperative raised 500 lbs. of canned non-perishable food items for the Harvest Hope Food Bank and the Lowcountry Food Bank. Read more at SC Now.

Wilson to Dramatize Stories

2009-01-26T12:32:00.001-05:00

On Feb. 9, 2009 Abie Wilson will be performing a dramatic storytelling program at the Williamsburg County Library in Kingstree. The program will begin at 6:30. This is an event for the entire family. Mr. Wilson’s love and enthusiasm for dramatic storytelling shows thoroughly through his performance.

Santee Electric to Sponsor Two for Washington Trip

2009-01-25T13:28:00.002-05:00

Every year the electric coopertives throughout the United States, send 1000s of high school juniors for a six day, all expense paid trip to Washington DC. The trip schedule for the third week in June is for the students to get a first hand look at our government in action. Activities include visiting the Capitol, the Smithsonians, a trip on the Potomac River, and visits to various DC landmarks. Also the opportunity to meet our legislative delegation.

High school juniors who'd like to apply for the Electric Cooperative Washington Youth Tour should call toll-free 1-800-922-1604—or 355-6187 in Williamsburg County—for more information. Or go to Santee Electric's website for an application.

Cramer Thinks Martek Takeover Candidate

2009-01-24T21:08:00.001-05:00

CNBC's Jim Cramer believes with the Democrats in control, Big Pharma will have a hard time growing with newer, high priced drugs. Their growth strategy will probably be more in the line of mergers and aquisitions. Abbott Laboratories (ABT) CEO Miles White has hinted in their last conference call that “it’s a good time to be a buyer, as long as there is a willing seller".

Of Cramer's potential four targets is Martek Bioscience (MATK), one of our local manufacturers. Given the current undervalued market, an M&A period like the mid 80's could happen again. Read his opinion at Mad Cap Recap .

Sportsman's Paradise for PGA Star

2009-01-24T14:14:00.004-05:00

The State has a good profile on a part time resident of Williamsburg County, D.J. Trahan. He bought a piece of hunting property here last year. We wish him much success this weekend as he defends his Bob Hope Classic victory from last year.

Bamboosa expansion to bring 31 new jobs

2009-01-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

From the South Carolina Department of Commerce:
COLUMBIA, SC - The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Williamsburg County and Bamboosa announced Friday that the company will expand its operations in Williamsburg County. The $500,000 investment is expected to generate 31 new jobs.
"The company appreciates all of the assistance and help from Williamsburg County and is looking forward to help generate new jobs for the community," said Morris Saintsing, co-owner and manager of sales and operations for Bamboosa.
The expansion of the Andrews facility will allow the company to develop and add new product lines, as well as increase capacity. The company already produces several clothing lines, including a line of baby apparel.
"It's always great to see a South Carolina company grow and Bamboosa's growth in our state is a positive reflection of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that exists among the state's workforce and small business owners," said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce. "Thanks to Bamboosa's continued investment in our state, Williamsburg County will benefit with new job opportunities."

Bamboosa's company web site