It was another perfect football weekend with lower temperatures and humidity. Winning is the top priority and Gamecock and Tiger fans had it.

The Gamecocks pulled a last minute win, 20-17 over East Carolina. Tigers won 49-3 over SC State.

This Saturday will be a tougher for the Gamecocks taking on Georgia while the Tigers play Georgia Tech.

Anne Bull reports that the Root Doctors did not disappoint and the weather at the the Icehouse Amphitheater was perfect.

Enjoying the music were Tripp and Jack Johnson, Marlene and Dean Wheeler, Brenda and Mack Maxwell, Sandra Cheatham, Terry and Sam Cheatham, Gay Clark, Ashley Morris and Ella Kate Morris, Odie and Melissa Rawl, Becky and David Hipp, Fay Smith, Leigh and Russell Oswald, Larry and Lynn Boyleston, Brent, Kelly and Crews Boyleston, and Sandy and Lou Roberts. Adding to the evening was Chris Bissell, assistant principal at Midway Elementary who played saxophone for the band. Children from Midway got a kick out of seeing him play sax,sing and dance.

We hear of more hurricanes this year and fortunately we have been safe from their destruction. The hurricane season doesn’t end until Nov. 30 and we’re already up to the letter N with Nicholas hitting the gulf this week. Tropical storms are named once they reach wind speeds of 39 miles an hour. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when wind speeds reach 74 mph.

Pat Tuma and Marue Bridges reported on how Golden Hills remembered 9-11. They provided red bows to be dispalyed at every home. They previously had distributed American flags. These will remain through September as a reminder to all.

Pat says their neighborhood is a very patriotic community.

They also distributed a colorful flyer entitled “One Nation Indivisible – We Will Not Forget!” Families of loved ones lost in this tragedy and 1st responders and military were mentioned and remembered.

Barbara Gregory and Mikel Smith report they attended the moving Tunnel to Towers event at the Columbia Convention Center.

A group of New York City firefighters came to take part in the 5K walk/run race. Numerous local fire house groups, including Irmo and Lexington, took part. They carried their heavy bunker gear as NY firefighter Sephen Siller had carried into the Twin Towers. Also in the race was the Fort Jackson commander and Blue Star Mothers.

My friends were impressed with the patriotism and participation they observed. American flags, music, impressive speakers nd attendees all commemorated the occasion of the day. Lest We Forget!

Anne Bull sends a report from a happier occasion. The 15th Fur Ball Moonlight Gala will be Oct. 16, at 7 pm, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. This was sent by Delores Mungo, founder of Pawmetto Lifeline, the no-kill animal shelter.

There are sponsorships opportunities at various levels or you may just buy tickets. To take part in this event of food, beverages and music, contact Jack Sloan at 803-465-0101 or jsloan@pawmettolifeline.org .

Happy birthday to George Steele, Wes Rhoten, Allison Sanford, Sunsan Wingard Clifton, Jo Counts, Hugh Hunter, Marge Carter, Dot Tunstall, Albert Futrell, George LaPierre, Kirsten Davis, Samantha Millender, Joan Simpson, Jo Ann Whitehead, Beth Carrigg, Alex Miles, Lacy Geary, Caroline Keisler, Emma Loney, Kathy Rhoden, Leonard Carroll, Rhonda Marchant, Jean Millward, Johnnie Peechatka, Christy Wenzel and Wyman Kyzer.

Sponsorships of our popular community columns are available for a modest weekly investment. Call 803-359-7633 for details.