Mitch Carnell » Charleston

Thankful Thursday – Pat and Hack Ezell

Mitch — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:22 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Patricia and Melvin (Hack) Ezell bring to my life. This highly involved, energetic couple provides an example for us all. Pat is a native of Arkansas and Hack hails from North Carolina. They have both retired from distinguished careers at the Citadel. Pat was Assistant Dean to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Hack was Professor of Health, Exercise and Sport Science. In 1997 Pat was selected as the employee of the year. They are devoted parents and grandparents. Both are deeply involved in the mission of First Baptist Church. Both have served as chair of the diaconate. Hack has chaired the Long Range Planning Committee. They both help arrange Joy Club trips and sing in the senior choir. They both prepare the annual Joy Club Luncheon for the Hamrick Lectureship. Hack is greatly involved in the Gideon Society and serves as the FBC representative to the Charleston County Baptist Association. Both are involved in promoting the programs at Bonnie Doom Conference Center and the FBC beach house. Thinking about all they do makes me tired. Both taught at Mars Hill College before arriving in Charleston. Both have graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Jane Scarpa Ezell Hamrick

Mitch — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:02:51 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Jane Hamrick brings to my life. Jane is the mother of Carol Ezell Gilson, and Mary Nance McDonough .She grew up in Charleston and graduated from Ashley Hall and the College of Charleston. She married Kay Ezell from Woodruff, South Carolina and they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he was a scientist at the Oak Ridge Atomic Research Labs. He died from a brain tumor when Carol was 5 years old. Jane returned to Charleston and taught at First Baptist School. She and Dr. John married several years after his wife Margaret died. My daughter-in-law, Nancy, took French with Jane and then went with her and the class to France. The stories from that trip are marvelous. Dr. John died on October 24, 2004.

Jane is a member of the Hamrick Lectureship Committee and one of the most delightful people I know. She has a wonderful sense of humor and at the same time has a razor sharp mind for business. She sings in the choir and teaches Sunday school at First Baptist. She has probably served on every committee at the church and probably in Charleston as well. She and Dr. John were great travelers. They enjoyed several of the Elderhostel programs and Jane still likes to attend those. She recently adopted a rescue dog and he has taken over her life. On this Thankful Thursday I am very glad that Jane Hamrick is a part of my life. Dr. Arthur Caliandro is pictured along with Jane and me.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Dr. Jim Southard

Mitch — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:00:01 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Dr. Jim Southard brings to my life. Jim was the veterinarian for my wonderful dog, British. He cared for British as if British belonged to him. He was a wonderful and caring husband for his late wife, Willa. They met at the University of Georgia. She was devoted to drama and dance. Jim told me, “She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.” Anyone could see that Willa was just as dedicated to Jim. Jim grew up in Charleston and went to Citadel Square Baptist Church. David Redd’s mother was his RA leader. For non-Baptists that’s a training program for Baptist boys. He and Willa later joined First Baptist. He is a Clemson graduate and served in the Army. He is also an Eagle Scout as is his son. He is still very active in scouting. For a long time he did a veterinary show on channel 5. I followed him as chair of the diaconate at FBC and he was helpfulness itself. I admire his dedication to his profession, his devotion to the church and his great sense of humor. Jim knows how to laugh and how to spin a great yarn. For a time, Jim, Clarence Glover and I rode together for some church meetings. Those trips would cure whatever ails you. Jim is also the ever indulgent granddad and is happy to tell you about them. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Jim Southard brings to my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Brenda and Laurens Pitts

Mitch — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:15 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Brenda and Laurens Pitts bring to my life. They were members of the Sunday school class that I led for many years. Brenda was very successful as a court reporter and then she began a creative writing career studying with Brett Lott among others. Laurens was an engineer. Both are deep thinkers and are very creative. Our class enjoyed several Christmas parties at their home. Brenda is a superb hostess.

We had wonderful discussions in that class and my spiritual boundaries expanded and deepened. One day Laurens commented, “Mitch, I don’t know whether I have grown in my acceptance or whether I have just lost my values.” With that statement he captured the struggle many of us face. We try to reconcile what we were taught as children with what we have experienced as adults. Sometimes we just have to let go of the old, if it no longer fits. Laurens stole many nights of sleep from me. I still ponder his statement. How fortunate we were to have these two with us in that class. They are a kind, generous, creative, thought provoking couple. Of course, they were and are devoted to their children (daughters) and grandchildren. Brenda and Laurens Pitts are very special people and I am blessed to have them in my life.

Thankful Thursday – Ruth and Bob Guy

Mitch — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:38 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Ruth and Bob Guy bring to my life. They are two of the first friends we made in Charleston. They were our neighbors on South Sherwood Drive until they moved, but the move did not interrupt our friendships. When our children were small, we spent many New Year’s Eves together eating fondue at midnight and talking well into the early morning. Of course, we have shared many great times together at First Baptist Church. Their daughter, Nancy Union, and my daughter, Suzanne, continue to stay in contact. Every Sunday night Suzanne will ask me, “Did you see the Guys today?” These two wonderful friends are the salt of the earth. You can count on them in good times and bad. I cherish the great conversations we have had over these many years. Ruth grew up in Georgia and Bob started out in South Carolina. His family moved when he was four to Franklin, North Carolina. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the friendship of Ruth and Bob Guy.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our life and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Ellen Dressler Moryl

Mitch — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:56 +0000

Today on this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for the gifts that Ellen Dressler Moryl brings to my life. Major Joe Riley hit a home run when he persuaded Ellen to leave Montgomery, Alabama and move to Charleston as the director of the Office of Cultural Affairs. It’s hard to know when my friendship with Ellen began. She lectured to my graduate classes on the importance of the not-for-profit sector of our economy. She was a supporter when I sought grants to provide interpreters for the hearing impaired so that they could enjoy the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. She is a master musician and often plays cello in performances at First Baptist Church, Mepken Abby and other great venues. She is also the mother of, Michelle, one of our former distinguished audiologists at the Charleston Speech and Hearing Center. Michelle is now in private practice. Ellen simply thrills me with her creative and organizational genus. She puts this city on the radar of every creative person anywhere. They want to work here. She is a walking Chamber of Commerce for Charleston and its arts community. On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the gifts that Ellen Moryl brings to my life.

Thankful Thursday – Rabbi Anthony D. Holz, DD

Mitch — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:47 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the blessings that Rabbi Tony Holz has brought to my life. He is now the retired Rabbi Emeritus of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. I first met Rabbi Holz when I took my graduate classes studying the not-for-profit sector of our economy on tours there. Synogogs, churches, and religious institutions are a large part of that sector. Rabi Holz graciously spoke to those groups. I admired his ability to field a question that offered him an opportunity to take a swipe at other religious groups and turn it into a teaching opportunity. He handled every situation with kindness and tact. He also displayed a great sense of humor. As is often the case I usually learned more than my students. Of course, the synagogue itself is such a beautiful treasure for the city. I encourage all the tourists who come to First Baptist Church to tour there as well. Rabbi Holz grew up and was educated n Cape Town, South Africa. He was ordained in 1970 and came to Charleston in 1992. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree in 1995. He has helped me grow in my understanding and appreciation of other religious traditions and I am very grateful. The more I learn and understand other traditions, the more I am able to understand my own. On this Thankful Thursday, I am very grateful for the gifts that Rabbi Anthony Holz brings to my life.

Thankful Thursday – Johnny McAlister

Mitch — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:07 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Johnny McAlister brings to my life. Johnny is a friend from the Optimist Club of Charleston. After the death of friend and fellow member Bennett Murray, Johnny gave me a ride to the meetings every Tuesday morning. We call Johnny the Southern Planter because of his profession. Johnny would be the last to let you down. The only problem with Johnny giving me a ride is that he came in his shiny black hearse and he required me to lie down in the back with my arms folded across my chest. It wouldn’t have been so bad but he turned on his lighted sign, “Try our pick-up and delivery service.” He also put funeral music on the outside speaker system. My neighbors were astounded that I died every Tuesday morning, but I was walking my dog by noon. I told them it was because of a good breakfast and great fellowship. Johnny tells great tales with his wonderful thick Charleston accent. He knows the story of every old family in Charleston and has wonderful yarns about unusual funerals. He never betrays a family’s confidence. Johnny is a gentleman from the old school. Johnny is helpfulness itself and is the same no matter where you see him. His wife Sarah has a difficult time keeping him out of trouble. He is an avid sailor and both he and Sarah are world travelers. He is proud of his heritage. If there were not a St. Patrick’s Day already, Johnny would have created it. On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful to have Johnny McAlister in my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone special to our life and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say SomethingNice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Carol Ezell Gilson

Mitch — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:00:40 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the gifts that Carol Gilson brings to my life. Carol grew up in Charleston after the death of her father, atomic energy scientist, Dr. Kay Ezell. This has always interested me because her father grew up in Woodruff, my home town. Carol’s mother is Jane Hamrick. Carol graduated from First Baptist High School and studied painting in Philadelphia and New York City. She is married to Tom, retired librarian at the College of Charleston and an avid hiker. Carol is an artist, teacher, tour guide, historian and an excellent writer. She spearheaded the First Baptist display for Congregations in the Civil War Project imitated by the National Park Service. It is an outstanding display. She writes excellent, “Moments in History” notes for the church’s anniversary celebrations. Carol is always upbeat and willing to help. She was instrumental in getting Josephine Humphreys as a speaker for the Hamrick Lectureship. Carol’s Japanese paintings are huge, colorful and striking. She sings in the FBC choir. I have not found anything yet that Carol will not tackle. I applaud her spirit of go for it. She will have an exhibition of her paintings at Rick Rhodes Photography Gallery at 1842 Belgrade Avenue from October 3 – 30.Belgrade is in West Ashley off Sam Rittenberg. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Carol Gilson brings to my life.

Thankful Thursday is a special day set aside to honor the presence of someone special to your life and to let her or him know of your gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

Thankful Thursday – Nancy Hamrick

Mitch — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:00:47 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the gifts that Nancy Hamrick brings to my life. Nancy is married to Fitzhugh. They are a wonderful couple who bring sunshine into the lives of all who know them. Both are wonderful conversationalists and both enjoy traveling. Nancy is a founding member of the John A. Hamrick Lectureship Committee and has brought many potential speakers to our attention. Nancy wrote Sunday school materials for teenagers for many years. She and Fitzhugh are members at Grace Episcopal Church. Nancy grew up in Greenville and is a Furman graduate and a former trustee. She and Fitzhugh commissioned a duplicate of the lectern at First Baptist Church for the Furman Chapel. Carol Ezell Gilson painted the seal on the lectern. The lectern at FBC is made from wood from the original pulpit destroyed by a cannon ball during the Civil War. I think Nancy has read everything that is worth reading. Along with everything else, Nancy is one of the most gracious people I know. She was the first one to tell me that in Charleston you can say anything about anyone you want to as long as you add, “Bless her heart.” She has a delightful sense of humor. She is one of those rare individuals that make you feel good just to be around her. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful that Nancy Hamrick is a part of my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives. Let her or him know of your gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.