Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Edree Edree Wellmaker has just completed calling a group of people making arrangements for photographs in his church's new directory, but for Edree, that was just one of the many activities he's called upon to do each week. He occasionally cails customers for businessmen to thank them for their business and sometimes contacts delinquent accounts to urge prompt payment. Edree is the 33 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wellmaker. He carries on a full range of activities from his home on Teak wood Drive. Born with a spinal bifida (open spine), he has been bedridden for the past 21 years. Prior to the that, he was able to move around in a wheel chair until his joints stiffened, and made this movement impossible. \ * '\ Tv f. i- n " ui -x-< ?<., u .. ^ ^ >;* > " ...... n ....li^, ^ ^ DIANE THIBODEAU Payroll Er Active In < Diane Thibodeau, Clintor Mills Payroll Department omnlnvoo />*?mn a ur/\?lf Viupiwj VV, V.UII11/ l/V TT v/i IV 1U1 the Company following graduation from Ford High School eight years ago. "I was working for Ed wards' Department Store when school was out, and 1 applied for a job here Fortunately, there was s vacancy in Payroll, and I've been here ever since," re tu:I i * anru l mimutrau. "In essence, this is th< only full-time job I've ever} had." Diane enjoys her job du ties, which include primarily computing the pay for Clin ton's production employees Away from work, I)ian< takes an active part in th< activities of the Lauren Wellmah m EDREE WELLMAKER "My mind functions for my my physical inabilities," 1 said Edree with a sharp 1 voice. "I can tell you where 1 everything in this house is 1 located and never leave the room." 'sj; i ... . .. - n ploy ee Church i Second Baptist Church. She serves as assistant organist, and teaches the young adult ?l ?? r v.iadd in tut; training uiuuu i program. In October, she will start teaching the teenage girls > Sunday School class, and [ also assume responsibility for the 9-11 children in i training union. Despite her busy church schedule, she finHc timu fr\r ln rr knitting, sowing, piano and ? organ playing. Recently, another project has started taking up a great deal of her time. The Thibodeaus are about ready to y begin construction of a new house, and, as she says with a smile, "This will require e additional time for making e the proper decisions as s building progresses." :er Stayt 1 J k 1^1; V ? ^S^2N. Attending public school was never a reality for , Edree. A private tutor, made available through the | Crippled Children's Society, ( instructed him through the eighth grade. He was an honor student and certified achievement tests indicated him at least two grades above the ones he studied. Recent tests conducted by the vocational rehabilitation program indicated Edree to be mentally at the college level. "I've learned a great deal through reading and especially educational television. When quiz programs were popular on TV, I always watched them all - and that, too, helped me." "Keeping busy is no problem," added Edree, as he adjusted his Ham radio. "Each day I'm on the air about two hours. I've got radio friends in England, France, Canada, South America as well as through out the United States." "It took me a while to get my amateur radio operator's license because I had to study the electronic theory as well as master the Morse Code. But it was worth the effort because I can use the radio from my bed." Although he says, "I live a fairly simple life," his activities challenge the most physically fit. Osborne Outstanding T. Sgt. Talmadge D. Osborne, NCOIC, distribution, for the Flight Information Office, Europe, was recently nampri nut.st.andincr Airman of the Year for the Defense Mapping Agency. Osborne is responsible for distributing and restocking aeronautical charts for all U.S. Military and NATO Forces in the European Theater. Last year he distributed over two million aeronautical charts to NATO Forces in Europe. Sgt. Osborne's parents are Walker and Edna Osborne, both Plant No. 2 Spinning employees. > Very B Due to spinal condition, a Edree must sleep, eat, oper- d ate his radio, etc. from a g stomach down position. v, "This keeps me from rid- Qi ing in a car, so my parents w had to purchase a special w van so 1 can ride lying down," added Wellmaker. ai "Since I'm bedridden, this al poses a problem in getting in a< and out of doors at various tl places, so whenver we're fi gone overnight - especially It Dn vacation trips - we have to pull an Airstream trailer ei since I can get in and out of a it." n Over the years, he has s< learned to Dlav the ukulele. li the electric organ, piano, U guitar and auto harp and has j< entertained church groups, c< other handicapped people, V and senior citizens with his tl musical talents. ti Those visiting him are fi quickly amazed at his large vocabulary and vast know- n ledge about current events. h His favorite reading materi- ti ? Our Chil I ^HF-- m iJMm/Jm^m JAMIE MOORE Jamie Moore is the four 1?1 *? * ? ' 1 u s year oia son 01 Mitcneii ana Ann Moore, Plant No. 1 and J 2 employees respectively. 8 James' grandparents are \ James and Nellie Moore and t Chess King, all plant No. 2 t employees. r t 511 SHERRY McWATTERS Sherry McWatters will celebrate her birthday Au ? gust 9. She is the daughter 1 of William and Pearl ! McWatters. , usy Is are the encyclopedia, ictionary, and Reader's Diest. In addition to all of his arious activities, he carries n a host of correspondence ith friends throughout the orld. In 1970, 72, and 72, he ttended two week camps lone which marked a major ccomplishment. "Prior to lis, I had never been away om my parents for any sngth of time." "A case of meningitis sevral years ago curbed my ctivities for a while, but I'm ow back into a rather busy :hedule now. Although I ke music and reading and ;ICVWIUII, my greatest en>yment is having people sme to see me," stated /ellmaker as he thumbed trough a photo album confining pictures of his iends throughout the U.S. Edree's father, J.E. Welllaker, is Clinton Mills Plant lo. 2 Manufacturing Assisint. dren ? BARRY DALE McWATTERS, JR. Barry Dale McWatters, !r. will be 1 year old August I. He is the grandson of Villiam and Pearl McWaters of No. 2 Spinning. He is he great grandson of Flonlie McWatters, No. 2 Spinling. n ' PAUL RENEE' JAMES Paul Renee' James is the six year old daughter of Pearl James, Plant No. 1 Spinning, 2nd Shift. ? | t