31.10.14

Local Football Scores - October 31, 2014

The following are some of the key football scores for Summerton and other local high schools in Clarendon County, SC:
  • Manning High School Monarchs lost to Marlboro County 49-30.  
  • Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats defeated Wilson Hall 28-7. 
  • Clarendon Hall Saints lost to Carolina Academy 38-6.  
  • New Covenant N.C. beat East Clarendon High School Wolverines 12-0
  • Scott's Branch High School lost to the C.E. Murray War Eagles 44-20.

* Check out MAXPREPS, a CBSSports.com web site for team standings and stats.

Check out Summerton 'Open' Technology & Solutions


Collaboration, Open Solutions, and Innovation (COSI) are key strategies individuals and organizations need to embrace in order to compete and succeed in the 21st century 'Information Age'. This applies to every individual and organization right here in Summerton, S.C.

On the Summerton 'Open' Technology web site you will be introduced to many of these free and 'open' technologies and solutions. You will learn about free and 'open' source software (FOSS), 'open' source hardware, 'open' access materials, 'open' data, 'open' standards, and much more.

For example, check out:

  • Apache Software - Originally known for being an open-source web server solution, it has now grown into a large collaborative software community with a wide range of complementary projects and products.
  • Civic Commons - A non-profit initiative helping cities and local governments build and use shared and open technologies to improve public services.
  • Code For America - Enlisting talents of the web industry into public service to use their skills to solve core problems facing our communities, cities, and government at all levels.
  • Creative Commons - Helping people to share knowledge, research, and educational materials with others around the world. Videos
  • Data.Gov - Providing open access to a wide range of datasets that are generated and/or held by the U.S. Government.
  • Libre Office - A comprehensive open source software suite of office applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet) similar to MS Office.
  • Linux - A widely used open source operating system for small and large scale computer systems originally created by Linus Torvalds
  • Mozilla & Firefox - A wide range of open source software products developed by the growing Mozilla 'open' development community. Products include the FireFox web browser, Thunderbird email, etc.
  • Open Educational Resources (OER) Commons - Providing access to a wide range of teaching and learning materials that may be freely used and shared - for elementary schools, high schools, and universities.
  • Open Office - A comprehensive open source software suite of office applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) that provide very similar capabilities as MS Office.
  • OpenProject - A free and open source project management software solution that can serve as a replacement for MS Project.


Is this the first time you have been exposed to free and 'open' technologies and solutions? Let us know what you think after you have checked out some of these resources.

30.10.14

Lake Marion's 2014 Christmas Parade of Boats


Plans are well underway for the annual Christmas Parade of Boats on beautiful Lake Marion in South Carolina. So you folks at Goat Island, Wyboo, Polly's Landing, Jack's Creek and other homes and marinas up and down Lake Marion, S.C., start getting ready. Decorate your boat and lets celebrate the Christmas season together. Remember, many visitors from across the state will be watching. For details call Alfred at 803-460-4422

Birders: Annual Local & National Bird Count to get Underway in December


The annual local and national Christmas Bird Count is coming up in December. Birders, wildlife enthusiasts, and citizen scientists get ready!

The National Audubon Society's 115th Christmas Bird Count will occur between December 14, 2014 thru Jan 5, 2015. For more details, go to http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/

Each year, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in this event that has become a family tradition across generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on this annual mission.
 
Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action.
 
The Christmas Bird Count at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge near historic Summerton, S.C., occurs December 20, 2014. It is one of the most popular Bird Count events in South Ca rolina. This one-day bird survey will generally result in over 130 species seen. If you would like to participate in the event or need more details, please contact Dennis Forsythe: email dennis.forsythe@gmail.com or call his cell phone: 843-708-1605

Share your experiences with our readers.

27.10.14

Polly's Landing Under New Management: Now Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner


As of October 30th, Polly's Landing, Campground, and Marina in Summerton, S.C., will begin serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. They are open Monday thru Wednesday from 6am to 2pm. The restaurant is open from Thursday thru Sunday from 6am to 8pm and will be serving chicken wings on Thursday nights, BBQ on Friday nights, and seafood on Saturday nights. Sunday is 'home cooked' meal day.

For those who haven't heard, Polly's is now under new management who are working hard to improve the facilities and services provided at the campground and marina. Polly's also sells live bait, gas, ice, and other fishing and boat supplies. Come and enjoy the view, the food, and the fun at Polly's Landing this weekend.

For directions, reviews, and other information about Polly's Landing, visit their Facebook page on the Internet. Polly's Landing is located just off I-95, right on the shores of Lake Marion. Take I-95, exit 102. Polly's is right next to the luxurious North Shore Condos & Villas at Lake Marion.


25.10.14

Education Innovation: Online K-12 Schools & Universities


One of the waves of innovation sweeping across the country and around the world is the emergence of Online Education Institutions. According to Time magazine, as of 2013 "only 23% of leaders in academia say online learning is inferior to face-to-face learning." The following are links to selected online high school and university web sites that you might want to check out -

Online Elementary & High Schools


Online Colleges & Universities

  • Accredited Online Colleges - A web-based directory for finding the accredited online college that best meets your needs.
  • Guide to Online Colleges & Universities - A web site providing information on the rising number of accredited online higher education programs.
  • American Public University System - A leader in distance education, this accredited online university offers over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  • DeVry University - An accredited university having more than 90 locations, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, many of them online.
  • South Carolina Online Colleges - Listing of colleges and universities in South Carolina offering online programs.
  • University of Phoenix -The largest private university in North America today, with students studying at more than 200 locations across the U.S. and around the world.
  • Western Governor's University - Founded by the Governor's of 19 U.S. states, it currently provides online, competency-based degree programs to more than 30,000 students across the U.S.

'Open' Schools, Universities, Courses & Online Adult Education

  • Academic Earth - Providing the opportunity to earn a world-class education by offering free online classes and online learning tools.
  • Udacity -Offering free online college courses leading to certification in key professions or subject areas.
  • Khan Academy - An online school providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere.
  • Open Education Database - Source for free, online courses offered by various universities and education organizations.
  • University of South Carolina - Offering online continuing education & adult education courses.

If you or your children have attended an online K-12 School or University, especially here in Summerton S.C., please share your experience with our readers. 

 

24.10.14

Local Football Scores - October 24, 2014

The following are some of the key football scores for Summerton and other local high schools in Clarendon County, SC:
  • Manning High School Monarchs won 14-6 against Crestwood High School.  
  • Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats beat Porter-Gaud High School 15-10. 
  • Clarendon Hall Saints beat Jefferson Davis Academy 44-0.  
  • East Clarendon High School Wolverines beat Scott's Branch High School 44-20.

22.10.14

Human Augmentation & Exoskeleton Technology

Thinking about a career in technologies of the future? Check out Human Augmentation and Exoskeleton Technologies.

Recently, Ekso Bionics announced the delivery of Ekso GT, their latest robotic exoskeleton which enables individuals with lower extremity paralysis or weakness to stand and walk. In fact, the first Ekso GT was delivered to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. News about exoskeletons and the development of other human augmentation technologies continues to proliferate.

Human augmentation technologies have the potential to enhance our innate human abilities in many ways.  For example, it could be used to replace missing limbs or correct physical disabilities. In fact, some of the latest prosthetic devices have now reached the stage where they offer equivalent or slightly improved functionality over human limbs.

Military organizations are now experimenting with a wide range of 1st generation human augmentation technologies, including exoskeletons that allow personnel to carry increased loads and perform at a higher level. These devices have the potential to be adapted for use in healthcare and many other industries.

Elderly people could benefit from powered human augmentation technology, such as powered exoskeletons, that can be used to assist wearers with simple walking and lifting activities, improving the health and quality of life for aging populations.

New implantable brain-machine interfaces have been developed and are being tested that are demonstrating that directly bridging the gap between brain and prosthetics devices are becoming a reality – allowing prosthetic devices to be directly integrated with the user’s body.

Neuro-enhancement technology under development could also provide superior memory recall or speed of thought for humans.  Think of the possibilities for the those suffering from some form of dementia.

Exoskeleton Technology 

Powered exoskeletons consist primarily of an outer framework worn by a person coupled with a powered system of motors or hydraulics that delivers part of the energy needed for limb movement.

The main function of a powered exoskeleton is to assist the wearer by boosting their strength and endurance. To date, powered exoskeletons have primarily been designed and developed for use by the military. 

Powered exoskeletons are now also being designed for use by firefighters and other rescue workers operating in dangerous situation.  The medical field is another prime area for exoskeleton technology development and use. For example, it could be used to assist nurses in moving heavy patients. It could also be used by patients with major physical disabilities, missing limbs, and many who are currently wheelchair-bound.

Exoskeleton for the Military 

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated development of exoskeletons in 2001 under the Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation program. Check out some of the following examples:

  • XOS Exoskeleton is a robotics suit being developed by Raytheon for the US Army. The XOS system was originally developed as the Wearable Energetically Autonomous Robot (WEAR) by Sarcos Research. The company was subsequently acquired by the defense contractor Raytheon in 2007.
  • The DARPA Warrior Web program aims to develop a soft, lightweight suit that would help reduce injuries and fatigue and improve Soldiers’ ability to efficiently perform their missions.
  • Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) is an un-tethered, hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic exoskeleton developed by Ekso Bionics , under an exclusive licensing agreement with Lockheed Martin.  It is intended to help soldiers in combat carry a load of up to 200 pounds at a top speed of 10 miles per hour for extended periods of time.
  • A light weight robotic exoskeleton is also being developed and tested by Harvard scientists for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) called the Soft 'Exosuit'

Exoskeletons in Medicine 

Several companies have also created exoskeleton systems for use in medicine. For example, check out the following solutions:
  • The HULC System developed by Ekso Bionics for the military is also working on a modified version of the system for medical use. The Ekso Exoskeleton Lower Extremity Gait System (eLEGS)  is a hydraulically powered exoskeleton system that helps paraplegics to stand and walk. A variant of the system known as Mantis is being developed for use in other industries.
  • Cyberdyne has developed the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL-5),  a wearable exoskeleton cyborg-type suit, that allows the wearer to lift 10 times as much as they normally could. It is expected to be applied in various fields such as rehabilitation support and physical training support in medical field, activities of daily living (ADL) support for disabled people. Cyberdyne's HAL-5 system could also provide support for rescue workers at disaster sites.
  • Honda has been working  on their Walk Assist & Body Support systems that is now being readied for the marketplace.  It is designed for use in activities requiring extended standing or repetitive lower-body tasks.
  • ARGO Medical Technologies has partnered with innovative robotics experts YASKAWA Electric Corporation as it continues the global expansion of its ReWalk exoskeleton device which enables individuals with lower limb disabilities such as paraplegia to walk.

Exoskeletons & Open Source 

Various organizations and projects teams have now tapped into the 'open source' movement and practices to collaborate, share, and speed up the development of a wide range of innovative human augmentation solutions, including exoskeleton systems. For example:

  • OpenExo is a project to build and program an open source assistive lower limb exoskeleton. Also visit the OpenExo Project on GitHub.
  • Open Prosthetics Project is producing useful innovations in the field of prosthetics and freely sharing the CAD designs, open source code, and open source hardware, e.g. Arduino boards.
  • Rehab Rex is designed and developed by Rex Bionics for use in rehabilitation centers to assist with the treatment of patients under their care.
  • Titan Arm is a robotic exoskeleton which was developed using low-cost manufacturing and production techniques to cut the cost dramatically. The project team used open source software to run the device and reduce development costs.
The development of human augmentation technology and exoskeletons is primed for significant growth over the coming decade(s).  Think of the many benefits to the military, manufacturing, factories, healthcare, gaming, and many other industries. As we move into the next generation of this technology and become more aware of its potential, more and more actors are getting into the game – especially the IT industry.

If you're looking for a hot new field to enter that will start to dominate the marketplace in the 2020-2030 timeframe, this is it.

21.10.14

Local History & Genealogy Resources

Interested in local History and Genealogy? The following are links to key web sites to reference when searching for more detail on the history of Clarendon County and Summerton, S.C.:

Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) for the Creative Arts

Today, Art and Technology often go hand-in-hand. The following are links to selected 'open source' software & tools for use in the Creative Arts. If you have an interest in this area, you might want to try some of them out.
  • Art of Illusion - A free and open source 3D modelling and rendering studio.
  • Artful.ly - An open source business tool for art organizations or businesses that includes modules for ticketing, fundraising, constituent management, and more.
  • Audacity - A free and open source, cross-platform software tool used for recording and editing sounds.
  • Avidemux - Free and open source software designed for multi-purpose video editing that can be used with almost all known computer operating systems.
  • Blender - A free and open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems.
  • Booktype - An open source platform to help you  write, publish, and/or print books.
  • Calligra Flow - An easy to use free & open source diagramming and flowcharting application.
  • DarkTable - An open source photography workflow application and RAW developer. A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers.
  • GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) - A multi-platform photo & image manipulation tool. It is an open source alternative to Photoshop.
  • Inkscape - An open source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator or CorelDraw.
  • Kaltura - A community developed free and open source video management platform and applications.
  • KdenLive - A free and open source multi-track video editing tool.
  • Krita - A full-featured, open source sketching and painting application for digital artists
  • Mixxx - One of the most popular free and open source DJ software packages in the world.
  • MuseScore - Free and open source music composition and notation software.
  • MyPaint - An open source graphics application for digital painters.
  • Open Movie Editor - A free and open source video editing program, designed for basic movie making capabilities.
  • PhotoPrint - A free utility designed to assist in the process of printing digital photographs and posters.
  • Scribus - An open source desktop publishing system with and extensive graphics tools.
  • Shape Collage - An open source tool that allows you to create picture collages in any imaginable shape or form.
  • Synfig Studio - Free and open-source 2D animation software solution for creating film-quality animation using vector and bitmap artwork.
  • TuxPaint - A free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12.
  • VLC - A popular free and open source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most CD, DVD,  and many other files & streaming protocols.
  • Xournal - A free and open source application for notetaking, sketching, and keeping a journal using a stylus on Tablet PCs and other platforms.
There are also a lot of other links to selected web sites with free, but not open source, online creative art tools: e.g. Flockdraw ; Phoenix; Pixlr; Frinika; Kristal ;Splashup.

If you know of some other great free and open source software and tools for use in the Creative Arts, please share them with us. 
 
Also, the next time you visit Summerton, S.C., visit the Lake Marion Artists gallery which is located downtown at 108 Main Street next to Two Cute and Wen Lily's Cafe & Gifts.

19.10.14

Lake Marion Artisans


When you next swing by the town of Summerton S.C., make sure you stop at the Lake Marion Artisans gallery. You may find it stimulating. The art gallery is located downtown at 108 Main Street next to Two Cute and Wen Lily's Cafe & Gifts.

Also, make sure you come meet some of our Lake Marion Artisans at the upcoming 'Open House' planned for Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. Lake Marion Artisans welcomes fellow art enthusiasts and hopes you will join them.


The Lake Marion Artisans Gallery and the Lake Marion Art Guild are a group of artist and art enthusiasts who are excited about the prospect of nurturing the Arts in the local community. A purpose of the Guild and Gallery is to bring higher visibility to the artists in Summerton and the Lake Marion area, celebrating their rich diversity through community projects and exhibits of their talent.

The beautiful paintings, sketches, pottery, jewelry, etc. offered at Lake Marion Artisans are unique, one-of-a-kind, and make excellent gifts for your holiday giving! Stop by and visit the art gallery during their normal business hours.

In addition to viewing our ever-changing display, you might also want to visit the Lake Marion Artisans Facebook site on the Internet. The art gallery is open Thursday and Friday 11:00 to 3:00 and on Saturdays 10-2:00.

17.10.14

Local Football Scores - October 17, 2014

The following are some of the key football scores for Summerton and other local high schools in Clarendon County, SC:
  • Manning High School Monarchs lost to Hartsville by a score of 42-6.  
  • Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats beat Ben Lippen 69-21 on Homecoming night. 
  • Clarendon Hall Saints defeated W.W. King 38-30.  
  • Scott’s Branch High School Eagles lost to Timmonsville 26-6.
  • East Clarendon High School Wolverines lost to Hannah-Pamplico 34-28.

11.10.14

Local Football Scores - October 10, 2014

The following are some of the key football scores for Summerton High School and other local schools in Clarendon County, SC:
  • Manning High School Monarchs lost to Darlington by a score of 21-20.  
  • Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats defeated Orangeburg Prep Indians 48-3. 
  • Clarendon Hall Saints defeated James Island Christian 42-6.  
  • Scott’s Branch High School Eagles lost to Hannah Pamplico 45-6.
  • East Clarendon High School Wolverines lost to C.E. Murray War Eagles 19-16.

8.10.14

4th Annual North Shore Cup coming to Lake Marion


Eliteoceansports and race director Chris Williams are excited to announce the 4th Annual North Shore Cup Surfski Race to be held on Lake Marion in Summerton, South Carolina.

2014 North Shore Cup is coming!


The race will once again take place at The North Shore Condos on Lake Marion, S.C., just off I-95 at exit 102. This year’s race date is Saturday, November 15 2014. Last year’s winner, Eliteoceansports’ paddler and US National Team member, Jesse Lishchuk will be back to defend his title.
 
We have some exciting changes to the race this year for those of you who have raced previous editions:

  • Race distance has been increased to 12 miles. This will be in a circular/triangular course beginning and ending at the North Shore Condos on Lake Marion. There will be no laps this year.
  • For the surfski singles there will be over $1000 in prize money at stake, including a $300 Think Kayaks hotspot sprint at mile 4. Prize money will be awarded to top three surfski singles overall plus the first female surfski overall.
  • There will be an additional 4 mile fun race for those looking for something a bit shorter.
Please note that the prize list may be expanded depending on participation and pre-registration. So the more people that pre-register, the larger and deeper the prize list will be, so sign up today!
 
Registration is up and running here: Northshore Cup Registration
 
While attending the race, be sure to visit the luxurious North Shore Condos & Villas as well as Polly's Landing & Marina right next door.

Historic Summerton S.C. in the 1900's

The following are some of the key historic events that occurred in, or had an impact on, Summerton, S.C. during the 1900's:
  • In 1902, electricity came to Clarendon county. This was followed in 1911 by the introduction of telephone service.
  • Tom Johnson wrote "Fragments of Fallen Flags: Railroads of Clarendon County, S.C. 1886-1940". These included the Alcolu Railroad, Paroda Railroad, and the Wilson & Summerton Railroad. The line served as a link between the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Central Railroad of South Carolina.
  • With the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, women across the U.S. finally obtained the right to vote in elections. It was the culmination of the women's suffrage movement in the U.S., which fought for decades to achieve the right to vote. However, several more decades passed before South Carolina finally ratified the Amendment.
  • In 1926, a fire nearly destroyed the entire business district on Main Street in Summerton.
  • In the 1930's, the Great Depression affected everyone in Summerton. The only bank in town, the Bank of Summerton, closed its doors in 1932 leaving nearly everyone destitute.
  • The 1930 census gives us a view of the living conditions in Clarendon County. Of the 4,256 farms in the county, only 978 reported having automobiles and only 46 (about 1.1%) had electricity. Telephones were found in 72 farms and 96 had piped water into their houses.
  • In 1939, the Bank of Clarendon was officially chartered by the state of South Carolina. Prior to this, during the 'Great Depression', it was known as the Clarendon Cash Depository.
  • In November 1941, Lake Marion was created by the construction of the Santee Dam. The dam was built across the Santee River to supply hydroelectric power, as part of the rural electrification efforts initiated under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal during the Great Depression.
  • Lake Marion and the Santee Dam were part of the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric and Navigation Project. This project also included the construction of the Pinopolis Dam (also known as the Cooper River Dam) which created Lake Moultrie. It also consisted of a diversion canal seven and a half miles long that connected the two lakes.
  • In 1951, the African American community in Summerton joined NAACP efforts to file a class action suit, Briggs vs. Elliott, in U.S. District Court. They sued the local school board over the issue of unequal education opportunities being provided for their children. It was ultimately combined with four other desegregation cases, collectively known as Brown v. Board of Education, and brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. This resulted in the 1954 landmark decision desegregating public schools across the U.S. - see Brown vs. Board of Education.
  • In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress officially ending racial segregation across the U.S.
  • In 1965, integration of a few token black students into formerly all-white Clarendon county schools began.
  • In 1970, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit mandated complete desegregation, many white students were enrolled by their parents in private, all-white academies. Many of these schools have since closed.
  • In 1973, the Clarendon County Area Vocational Center was built. In 2003, the facility was renovated and substantially expanded and was officially renamed the F.E. DuBose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College.
  • In 1979, the annual weeklong Annual Striped Bass Festival was started in Clarendon county. The county is home to the first population of landlocked striped bass in the U.S.
  • In 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit South Carolina wreaked tremendous havoc across the state, including Clarendon county and many communities surrounding Lake Marion.
     
    Learn more about the history of the town of Summerton in Clarendon County, S.C., its people, places, battles, and much more by visiting the Historic Summerton S.C. web site. Send us information on any major events we may have not included.

     

Redefining Our Purpose as Civilization Keeps Evolving

Think Type 1 Civilization
 
Let's take a quick stroll through history. Civilizations have generally advanced when radically new ways of communicating and sharing ideas have emerged. One of the first major advances occurred when mankind learned to speak. People started to gather togther and socialize around the campfire. Tribes began to emerge and form. Civilization on Earth was born.

This was followed many centuries later by the next major advancement, the creation of the written word. This in turn led to the start of commerce and the creation of the first nation-states, e.g. Egypt, Greece, China. Over the next many centuries, ships and roads allowed commerce to spread and written ideas to be communicated and shared with others across great distances. Civilization continued to slowly but steadily advance.

Jump forward a thousand years through the Dark Ages to the 1400's and the invention of the printing press. Knowledge and ideas were able to be shared on a much wider scale than ever before. The Bible and many other great works were suddenly available to more than just the select few. The pace of innovation and change around the world began to slowly pick up speed. Kingdoms started falling and the Protestant Reformation radically disrupted civilization and the status quo.

Then came the 1800's and the invention of the steam engine and the telegraph. Steamboats and steam powered trains allowed ideas, information, and goods to be shared faster. The telegraph allowed communication to really speed up. These inventions set the stage for the transition from the Agricultural Age to the Industrial Age of the 20th century.

The first half of the 1900's saw the invention and mass production of cars, airplanes, electricity, telephones, the radio, and television. The pace of innovation accelerated and all aspects of our civilization were disrupted as new ideas, inventions, information and knowledge were shared as never before. The stage was set for the transition into the Information Age of the 21st century and globalization.

Computers, digital telecommunications, software, fiber optics, satellites, robotics, the Internet, nanotechnology and so much more are all contributing to the quantum leap forward we are now in the process of taking together, sharing information and knowledge on a global scale. Innovation and the rate of change continues to increase with each passing day.

Today, someone can come up with a new idea, share it with millions on the Internet, and see the idea rapidly transformed into action and reality within days or weeks. Something that took decades if not centuries to ocurr can now happen almost overnight. Talk about a dramatic change of pace! But you ain't seen nothing yet.

Are we prepared for where this is taking us all? Probably not. Are we ready for the death of nation states? For every human having the ability to access all the world's knowlege? Having the capability to replace body organs and living for many hundreds of years, tapping into unlimited sources of energy, colonizing other planets in our solar system, and...

We are on the threshold of moving from a Type 0 civilization to a Type I civilization. (see http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale  )
A Type 0 civilization extracts its energy, information, raw-materials from crude organic-based sources (i.e. food/wood/fossil fuel/books/oral tradition); pressures via natural disaster, natural selection, and societal collapse creates extreme risk of extinction; it's capable of orbital spaceflight; societies that fail to improve social, environmental and medical understanding concurrently with other advancements, frequently accelerated their own extinction.
A Type I civilization extracts its energy, information, and raw-materials from fusion power, hydrogen, and other "high-density" renewable-resources; is capable of interplanetary spaceflight, interplanetary communication, megascale engineering, and interplanetary colonization, medical and technological singularity, planetary engineering, world government and trade, and stellar system-scale influence; but are still vulnerable to possible extinction
A Type II civilization extracts fusion energy, information, and raw-materials from multiple solar systems; it is capable of evolutionary intervention, interstellar travel, interstellar communication, stellar engineering, and star cluster-scale influence; the resulting proliferation and diversification would theoretically negate the probability of extinction.
A Type III civilization extracts fusion energy, information, and raw-materials from all possible star-clusters; it's capable of intergalactic travel via wormholes and intergalactic communication, galactic engineering and galaxy-scale influence.
A Type IV civilization extracts energy, information, and raw-materials from all possible galaxies; it's effectively immortal and omnipotent with universal-scale influence, possessing the ability of theoretical time travel and instantaneous matter-energy transformation and teleportation, moving entire asteroid belts and stars, creating alternate timelines, ...
We are facing the need to revisit and redefine our purpose as humans and the world we live in as we continue to transition into a more advanced Type 1 civilization during the remainder of the 21st century.  [Fast forward to 2020 and the global COVID-19 pandemic. The questions and predictions just described are even more pertinent.]



What are some of the basic questions we need to be asking ourselves right now? How do we incorporate and strengthen our faith in God as we continue to transition to a Type 1 civilization? Think about this and share your constructive ideas with us.

* Check out this video by Michio Kaku: The Birth-Pangs of a Planetary Civilization 

America's Future - Let's Get Back on Course

According to the author of the book "Betrayal of American Prosperity", China's number one export to the U.S. is $46 billion of computer equipment (we used to be number one); the number one export from the U.S. to China is waste - $7.6 billion of waste paper and scrap metal. The U.S. is rapidly losing its basis for leadership, wealth, and power in the world.  All Americans need to be more concerned about our future and hold our business and government leaders at all levels accountable for taking positive action to reverse the course of the past decade and putting us back on a path to a brighter future . 

We need to be retain our leadership in innovation, selectively build up our industrial base, invest in 'green' technologies, become energy independent, care for our people, place justice and righteous behaviour above greed and immorality, protect our country and our constitution, and …??!!  Let's not be fearful about the future. Let's be serious, thoughtful, and hopeful about our future. Let's discuss the future and see if we can reach a general consensus on the positive direction we want our country to take and what our highest priorities ought to be. Let's revive and reshape the American Dream to help guide us to a better tomorrow.   

So many of our business and government leaders at the federal, state, and local level seem to have lost their way and don't really have a vision for the future of our country that we can get behind.  They're too focused on the next fiscal quarter or the next election. They focus on the negative and constantly harp on the topic of fear. America is supposed to be the home of the brave, not the home of the fearful. There are still a lot of hard working, creative, and hope filled folks out there trying to make a difference and move us forward. They are helping to create a new vision of the future for America.

Keep the American Dream alive. Keep the constructive discussion going at all levels. To help you get started, take a moment to visit the Collaboration, Open Solutions, & Innovation (COSI) web site focused on America's Future: 2020-2050

4.10.14

Historic Summerton S.C. in the 1800's


The following are some of the key historic events that occurred in, or had an impact on, Summerton, S.C. during the 1800's:
  • The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain ended in 1814. It was essentially a stalemate, but it did reconfirm America's Independence from Great Britain.
  • The first recorded land purchase in the Summerton area was by Charles Harvin in the 1820's. He bought 69 acres of woodland between Taw Caw and Scott's Branch river.
  • By the 1850's, a number of prosperous plantation owners had built lavish homes in 'Summer Town', where they took their families during the hot summer months.
  • On December 19, 1855, a legislative act was passed establishing the Clarendon District with the same boundaries defined in the Act of 1785. The State Constitution of 1868 would later change districts into counties.
  • Shortly after the re-establishment of Clarendon as a county in 1855, Captain Joseph C. Burgess was selected to determine the geographical center of the county so that a county seat and courthouse could be built. The site that was selected is where the present courthouse stands in the nearby town of Manning.
  • The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired upon Fort Sumter, a key fort held by Union troops in South Carolina. Eleven states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America (CSA). South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. The war came to an end four years later with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender to Gen. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
  • In 1865, a body of General Sherman's Union troops under command of General Potter raided Clarendon county. A large portion of the nearby town of Manning, including the court house, was destroyed during "Potter's Raid". The raid took place only a few days before Gen. Robert E. Lee´s surrender at Appomattox.
  • On December 6, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery in the U.S.
  • In July 1868, after the S.C. State Legislature ratified the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the state was finally permitted to regain official representation in Congress. The amendment addressed citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws for all citizens, including former slaves.
  • In the years following the Civil War, cotton was still king. There were over a dozen cotton gins within 5 miles of Summerton. This was to end in the early 1900's when the boll weevil pretty much wiped out cotton farmers across the South.
  • On December 24, 1889, the South Carolina Assembly granted a charter  officially incorporating the town of Summerton.
  • In the 1890's, Telegraph systems were introduced into Manning and Summerton.
  • The Spanish American War began in April 1898. Fortunately, the war came to a quick end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.
Learn more about the history of Summerton in Clarendon County, S.C., its people, places, battles, and much more when you visit the Historic Summerton S.C. web site.