CDPOA COMMUNICATOR
Published periodically for its members by the Clemson Downs Property Owners’ Association
October 2013
Clemson’s September 19 football game against NC State University brought back vivid memories of my last
game against The Wolfpack. The game of 1956, like this year’s game, was played in Raleigh, NC, and since I
had grown up just 40 miles away, in Henderson, NC, I eagerly anticipated playing in front of a “home crowd.”
Clemson won that game 57 years ago, but it was not one of our best efforts, and Coach Frank Howard,
expressed his displeasure in terms which we all understood too well. Like last Thursday’s game, some called it
an “ugly win”, and every former player can remember every word of the “scolding” which we received.That
has been the case on other occasions when playing NC State through the years. You might win the game, but it
would not be “pretty,” and you found yourself so banged up and sore after the game that it was difficult to get
out of bed the next morning. Every player I know agrees that it is better to have an “ugly win” than a “pretty
loss.”
Life experiences are very similar to football games, I have discovered. We often face challenges and difficult
times which can be troublesome or even heart breaking, but we somehow figure out a way to meet those
challenges. We persevere. As I write this piece, CDPOA is about to enter the fourth quarter of 2013. To say
that 2013 has thrown some challenges our way would be a gross “understatement”, and it would have been
easy to throw up our hands and shout, “What a disaster!” That didn’t happen, of course, even though flood
events were catastrophic for many of us. I’m sure, it must have been difficult to even get out of bed the next
morning and determine what to do next. Rather than “quit”, we regrouped and fought back, and I choose to
claim victory for 2013. We experienced three 100-year floods in a two week period, and while I was not
personally impacted, many of you were “hit” extremely hard. Several have already responded by “fixing” their
homes and yards, while others are in the planning stages. In addition, the CDPOA Board of Directors, as well as
the Landscaping Committee and Flood Task Force have held several planning sessions and have met with
individual City of Clemson administrators, seeking advice and help, and we will appear before the City Council
at its October meeting, presenting our case which asks that the City of Clemson develop a flood water runoff
plan, designating someone with professional expertise to manage the plan. In this regard, the Board intends to
aggressively pursue our goals until measures are taken to assure that the flood damage of 2013 is not
repeated. While the situation was truly “ugly”, I consider CDPOA and its people to be “winners.”
Flood damage was not limited to homes and private property, as Woodland Walk encountered significant
damage. It was necessary to close the walk while repairs are being made. On the day after the flood, spirits
were low, but once again, we regrouped and went to work, and hopefully, the Walk will reopen soon. Winners
again!
Our challenges in 2013 have not been limited to floods, however. Early in 2013, the Board of Directors
recognized that it would be necessary to “tighten our belts” fiscally, when it became obvious that certain
unanticipated costs related to the Picnic Park project would necessitate our using the Contingency Fund as
well as the Reserve Fund, both of which are included in the 2013 budget. We immediately cut spending
dramatically, took steps to utilize the Contingency Fund and asked the CDPOA membership (as required by our
Bylaws) to allow us to utilize the Reserve Fund. You voted overwhelmingly to allow the Board to take such
action, and as a result, we remained within our budget, and the Picnic Park project is now a reality. The Picnic
Park Fund Raising Campaign, which was initiated in an effort to raise private funds to be used in completing
the project, has been a tremendous success. We are in the planning stages for the purchase of furniture as
well as area landscaping, and once again, because of your generosity and commitment, we attacked a difficult
situation and made something good of it. I am confident that you will be proud of the Park area and will enjoy
using it.
- 2 Our Long Range Planning Committee continues to meet and determine ways to maintain and enhance the
beauty and functionality of The Downs community. This group of seven CDPOA residents is proud of our area
and are a forward- thinking group. They maintain close ties with the Board as well as the Landscaping
Committee, and several of their recommendations will be implemented in 2014. In the long run, their efforts
will result in increased property values.
I hope you agree with me that while we encountered some difficulties in 2013, over which we had no control,
we responded in such a way that should make us all proud. In my opinion, 2013 had been a “Pretty Win.”
Charlie Bussey, President
Clemson Downs Property Owners Association
WE HAVE MORE NEW NEIGHBORS TO WELCOME!!
RICHARD AND BIRGIT BROOKS, 342 Kendra Place -
722-9075
Richard and Birgit met in Munich and later moved to Paris. Another move brought them to the
United States for work on a PhD at Louisiana State University. They came to Clemson from
Penn State.
Birgit has earned a Bachelor degree in Foreign Languages (German, English,
French). Richard has a PhD in Computer Science and is a Computer Engineering Professor at
Clemson University. At present their hobbies consist of “being dragged around by our
rambunctious big yellow Labrador.”
MARVIN AND JEAN DOERR, 206 Downs Blvd.
654-4059
Email: jeancdoerr@gmail.com
Marvin and Jean have lived in Atlanta, Charlotte, Greenville, Clemson and Seneca
Marvin has a PhD in Organic Chemistry; Jean has been a Caterer. Their son Robert, by
whom they have two grandchildren, lives in Charlotte. Son David resides in Clemson.
Marvin enjoys “music and wine”, and Jean – food and crafts.
They chose Clemson Downs “because it gives us the opportunity for integrated health care.”
EDWARD “MICKEY” MCDOWELL, 306 Downs Blvd.
654-4027
Mickey operated Merry Oaks Farm in Lynchburg, SC where he farmed Row Crops and was a
Swine Breeder. His children are Vickie Carter (Brantley),Timmonsville; Cindy Bishop (Barry)
Greenville; Lisa Lanning (Tod), Rock Hill; Davy McDowell (Caroline) Clemson.
Mickey’s hobbies are Gardening, Cards, ” SPORTS, CLEMSON” , and he states that he
chose the Downs because….. “My children made me do it! “
-3-
RENATE SHANG, 1 Little Lane
654-2704
Renate was born in Germany and came to the United State to continue her education. She was
married in New York City and lived in Raleigh, NC; Santee, SC; and Oswego, NY. For more
than 40 years Renate operated a business in Antiques and Estate Jewelry in Upstate New York
and the Raleigh, NC area.
Renate has 3 sons, all graduates of Duke University, with varying occupations as Lawyer,
Chemical and Electrical Engineering and Bio-Chemical Engineering. Renate’s hobbies include
classical music, reading, travel and crocheting, and chose to live in the Downs when her son
moved to Country Walk.
STEWART STAMPS, 34 Hickory Way
903-4694
Stew has moved here from Salem, SC where he resided since 1988, and previously lived in
Michigan. He was associated with Georgia Pacific in their Sales Department for 33 years.
He has 2 sons… Ken residing in Asheville, NC, and Mike living in Michigan. He chose the
Downs to be near to his wife, Joan, now in the CARC Health Care Center.
*****
Change of email address: Bob andMarge Olthoff
to:
maggie22@nctv.com
A sincere expression of sympathy is extended to Jim Kimbell and family in the loss
of their beloved Diane in June.
Word has been received of the death of Mary Welch, formerly of Summer Walk, on
Monday, September 3rd, in Madison, CT.
REMINDERS
Next CDPOA Breakfast Sat. October 19th Charlie Bussey - “There is Clemson LIFE
(Learning Is For Everyone) and There is Hope”
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
-4TO NEW RESIDENTS:
Be sure to view the Display Case (located adjacent
to the CARC Dining Room) each month and enjoy the many and varied hobbies and
collections of our fellow residents.
Also, take advantage of the easily-accessed Library
with its well-organized and well-stocked supply of material for your “reading hours.” The
Library is also located adjacent to the CARC Dining Room.
PICNIC TABLES HAVE ARRIVED IN THE GAZEBO!!!
Those wishing to contribute to this project may do so until October 15.