IN SPORTS: Laurence Manning, East Clarendon bring home softball titles B1 RELIGION — A6 Pope Francis makes saints of Fatima witnesses THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents Sumter native Gym honors veterans named finalist for women’s fiction award FROM STAFF REPORTS Sumter native Carla Damron has been named a finalist for the second annual Star Award, given to authors of published women’s fiction by the Wom- en’s Fiction Writers Associa- tion. Damron, nominated for her novel, “The Stone Neck- lace,” is one of three finalists in the General cate- gory. Laura Drake, contest chair- woman, said, DAMRON “The Star Award highlights the best in women’s fiction, (a) genre defined by WFWA’s leadership ... These nominees represent the best in fiction and are an encourage- ment to all writers in this di- verse category.” The winners of the Star Awards will be announced at the WFWA Retreat in Albu- RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM querque, New Mexico, on Sept. Deonta Kershaw, standing, spots Dwayne Wilson Wednesday at Workout Anytime, a gym that supports veterans through a new pro- 23. gram aimed to diminish suicide. Damron’s “The Stone Neck- lace” is a character-driven lit- erary novel that was the Mid- Workout Anytime offering special memberships for Memorial Day lands’ 2016 One Book, One Community work and was se- BY IVY MOORE figure to about one a day. ager of Sumter’s Workout tain a healthy lifestyle rialized in The State newspa- [email protected] Davis himself suffered Anytime, said the local gym through fitness, nutrition per. She is also the author of from severe depression and is holding several fundrais- and supportive relationships. three mystery novels featuring Workout Anytime in Pal- loss of identity upon his sep- ers to offset the costs of Lift Veterans are assisted social worker Caleb Knowles. metto Plaza will participate aration from the military, for the 22. through regular workouts WFWA began in 2013 to cre- for the third time in the Lift which led to a divorce that “We are selling 22 days of and life, emotional, fitness ate a support organization for for the 22 organization’s na- he said nearly led him to be- workouts for $5,” she said, and readiness coaching, with male and female writers fo- tional fundraiser to offer come a suicide statistic. “and Lift for the 22 T-shirts regular progress checks to cused on the emerging force free or affordable gym mem- Friends who worked out reg- for $20.” help them achieve their per- of women’s fiction. Women’s berships for military veter- ularly suggested Davis come Anyone purchasing a T- sonal goals. fiction is defined as layered ans. Lift for the 22, a pro- to their gym, where he shirt will also get passes for The program states as its stories in which the plot is gram designed to help veter- found support and comfort. workouts. mission “to bring awareness driven by the main charac- ans reentering civilian life, The benefits of fitness and Strickland said Davis, to veteran suicides and ter’s emotional journey. Cur- was founded by Carter Davis peer support helped him through the national Lift for lower the prevalence.” rently, there are more than shortly after his return from make the transition to civil- the 22 organization, will pro- Workout Anytime is located active duty in 2013. ian life and influenced him vide the 22 one-year mem- at 493 N. Guignard Drive in SEE AWARD, PAGE A5 The name of the program to found Lift for the 22 to berships to veterans across Palmetto Plaza. Call (803) 773- came from a 2012 suicide help other veterans. the country. 0101 for membership informa- data report from the Veter- The program provides free In addition to providing tion. For more about Lift for ans Administration, which or reduced rate one-year the memberships for veter- the 22, visit the nonprofit or- stated the suicide rate of vet- gym memberships to 22 vet- ans, Lift for the 22 also puts ganization’s website, www. Graduations erans as 22 a day. A more re- erans in communities in the veterans in a program to liftforthe22.org or visit the Lift cent study has corrected that U.S. Ashley Strickland, man- help them achieve and main- for the 22 Facebook page. get underway BY BRUCE MILLS Organization honors and assists military spouses [email protected] The high school graduation BY CAITLAN WALZER season is upon us and three [email protected] area private schools will kick off the festivities this week Nearly 250 military spouses arrived with ceremonies. Both Lau- at downtown’s City Centre on Tuesday rence Manning Academy in for one of the five-base tour events Manning and Robert E. Lee hosted by the non-profit organization, Academy in Bishopville will Support Military Spouses, honoring feature senior graduation cer- the home front heroes of Shaw Air emonies on Friday at 7 p.m. Force Base. LMA’s commencement will This organization’s mission is to rec- be at Weldon Auditorium in ognize and thank the military wives Manning; while REL’s ceremo- and husbands who tend to the respon- ny will occur in the school’s sibilities at home by caring for the fam- gymnasium. On Saturday, ily, finances, employment, wounded Thomas Sumter Academy in warrior care and honoring the fallen Rembert will host its gradua- heroes. tion festivities at 10 a.m. in its Co-founder of Support Military high school gymnasium. Spouses Diane Rumley said the organi- Two more area private zation was inspired by the idea of iden- schools will follow next week tifying those who serve behind the with cap and gown commence- scenes in the military and to give them ment ceremonies. On Thurs- an annual token of gratitude. CAITLAN WALZER / THE SUMTER ITEM day, May 25, Wilson Hall will “Support Military Spouses was creat- Diane Rumley, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Support Military Spouses, and hold its graduation at 7 p.m. at ed to recognize, honor and appreciate Kelli Lasica, wife of Shaw Air Force Base’s 20th Fighter Wing Commander Daniel Lasica, Patriot Hall. On Friday, May military spouses for their sacrifice are seen at a fundraising event hosted Tuesday at City Centre. 26, Summerton’s Clarendon made on the home front,” Rumley said. Hall will host its ceremony at At their events, Support Military Dot Jewelry, a camouflage New Testa- merchandise worth at least $100, are 7 p.m. in the school’s gymnasi- Spouses hands out care packages that ment Bible presented by the American provided to nearly 750,000 military um. are assembled with donations from Bible Society and much more. sponsors such as Hallmark, Stella & The care packages, consisting of SEE SUPPORT, PAGE A5 SEE GRADS, PAGE A5 VISIT US ONLINE AT CONTACT US DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A8 INSIDE Information: 774-1200 Joseph Michael Mader CARBON COPY 2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES the .com Advertising: 774-1246 Josephine Kaplan Kramer Sunny and quite warm VOL. 122, NO. 154 Classifieds: 774-1200 Mildred Witherspoon again today with little Classifieds B6 Delivery: 774-1258 David Jensen Battilana chance of rain; tonight, Comics B5 News and Sports: 774-1226 Janette English partly cloudy and humid. Opinion A9 Mildred Taylor HIGH 90, LOW 65 Walter Pearson Television A8 A2 | THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] SCHOOL DISTRICT Finance Volunteer organizations help in committee the search for missing woman meets today BY KEN BELL Since “They bring horses, K9s, four-wheel- SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Feb. 9, ers—everything you can think of to BY BRUCE MILLS Sumter search,” Dennis said. [email protected] County Sheriff’s Office has been dili- Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Lt. gently searching for 80-year-old Barba- Lee Monahan also lauded CUE’s ef- The advisory finance com- ra Nave who has been missing after re- forts. mittee to the Sumter School turning to Sumter from Savannah ear- “The CUE group was phenomenal District Board of Trustees will lier this year. with their response,” Monahan said. hold its regular monthly meet- Nave was last seen by family mem- “They were extremely organized, pro- ing today at the district office. bers while celebrating her birthday in fessional and every volunteer that It will be the first meeting of Savannah the weekend prior to when KEN BELL / SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE came in treated the search as if it were the committee since the Sum- she was reported missing. A Community United Efforts (CUE) volun- their own family member they were ter School Board voted down Her beloved dogs, which neighbors teer unloads a horse that was used in the looking for.” its motion on April 24 to close said always accompanied her, were continuing search for Barbara Nave, 80, Monahan said he was also impressed two low-enrollment schools as found alone inside the house and who disappeared from her Sumter home in by the organization and planning that a cost-savings measure in the Nave’s purse and other personal be- February. went into their search. wake of the district’s financial longings were also undisturbed inside. “It was remarkable watching their crisis. There was no sign of struggle inside Having known at least three families methodology, organization and skill The original motion from the house, inside Nave’s vehicle which who have dealt with missing persons, sets, well exceeding the national stan- the finance committee called is parked in front of her residence or Monica Caison became an advocate for dards that all of CUE’s volunteers for supporting financial con- the surrounding areas.