Thumbs up to charity work of Mercy Medicine

Thumbs up to Mercy Medicine Clinic and its work with the Mary Alice Caudle Ingram Charitable Lead Unitrust of Florence, which made it possible for a Florence woman to return home from Florida where she was injured in a car wreck. Carolyn Johnson can now be with her family while she heals from her extensive injuries. Kaye Allen, executive director of the clinic, told the Morning News it was no easy task getting through all the red tape to bring Johnson home. “She was down in St. Petersburg in Bayfront Medical Center,” Allen said. “The family could not afford to bring her back home to Florence, so their pastor contacted me and asked if there was anything Mercy could do.” Allen said that sort of work typically is outside the clinic’s mission, but the story touched their hearts and they made the decision to try. The Rev. Louis Brody, the pastor who played an instrumental part in bringing Johnson home, told the Morning News his role with the family typically is a supportive one only, but he couldn’t stand by and watch the family be separated any longer. “The Lord used me to call Kaye at Mercy Medicine to try to enlist their help in getting Carolyn home,” he said. And that effort worked with tremendous success.

Thumbs up to Darlington native Orlando Hudson for putting together another solid season at second base for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before having season-ending surgeries on a dislocated left wrist Aug. 9 and 11, Hudson had been one of Arizona’s most consistent hitters with a .305 average, 29 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 41 RBI. Hudson hurt his wrist on a collision with Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann while trying to snag an errant throw by pitcher Juan Cruz. It’s the second straight year Hudson’s season has been cut short by injury. On Sept. 4, Hudson tore a ligament in his left thumb. He played one more game before having season-ending surgery. Hudson, a Gold Glove winner in 2005, 2006 and 2007, will be a free agent at the end of this season.

Sara Lee Simons of Florence offers this: “Thumbs up to Marney L. Wooldridge, playwright and director of ‘Choices’ sponsored by the city of Florence Parks and Leisure Services, the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime and the Parents Involved in Education. The author is a strong advocate for abstinence until marriage and the actors did a very good job getting that message across. The choices we are given — it could be as she said, ‘corn bread of green beans.’ The choices we each have to make were well presented in this play — certainly more serious than corn bread or green beans! The play was presented three times this past weekend at Moore Middle School. The choice of abstinence until marriage, avoiding risky behaviors, drugs, gangs and peer pressure were nicely done by a large group of amateur volunteers. I believe only two had previous dance experience. Many volunteers and parents help make this production possible, principally provided from local church groups and the many hours of practice with the work of Parks and Leisure Services Teresa Simons employee. I wish I could recognize all the young people who were singers, dancers and lead characters in this production, which I and my weekend guests thoroughly enjoyed.”