Author: Susan Demchak
Northwestern grad has first responder dreams and international plans photo courtesy of Helena Miller and Kristin Sobieski Leo Miller celebrates his 19th birthday today. He plans dinner with his friends. We talked late last spring as he sat in his backyard in a grimy pair of blue jeans. That day he’d been up since 6 am. “I have to get an engine into the truck.” He quipped as we finished up. Clearly, the recent Northwestern graduate is not your typical young adult. Don’t get me wrong. He loves video games and has a chocolate lab. He regularly fights with his…
When I was asked to be a part of Radio Free Rock Hill, I vowed to remain apolitical and present stories of general local interest. My vision as one of the 3 co-founders of RFRH was of an electronic town square, a place where anyone, regardless of political affiliation, color, creed etc. could contribute thoughtful, factual content. I did not want to talk about politics. Unfortunately, politics are now interfering with my day job, in addition to keeping me awake at night. They brought politics into my exam room and have introduced bills to gag me from ensuring that my…
Elisha was a Colonel in the Confederate militia and home guard. He was also a recruiter. What did recruitment look like? We assume he cajoled or inspired young men, many being poor farmers to enlist and sent them off to a fate of cannon fodder in a fratricidal war. One of those soldiers was his own son, David. David was only nineteen when he served in the first regiment of the North Carolina Cavalry under future United States congressman, Colonel William H.H. Cowles. What he did during the war and what he saw can be imagined. After the war, he…
One of the most memorable lines in the musical Jersey Boys is in Bob Gaudio’s soliloquy at the end. Describing his lack of nostalgia and affection for the old neighborhood, he adds “I’m from wherever I happen to be.” Though I admire the Zen of that sentiment, that is not me. I’m from Rock Hill, South Carolina. My family’s roots in York County date back to the 1700’s. I can show you where my mother was born at home on Main Street. I can name the sites which have housed the 3 locations of Rock Hill High School. I can…