Wrinkles for Jan. 31

To my surprise, the response via email and telephone to last weeks's "Wrinkles" column regarding service was the largest received in the last few months.

Maybe, if enough people get mad enough, we can have a few of the services actually paid for, returned. One response to taking groceries from carts to counter surprised me. The lady said she considered this part of her exercise routine, leaning over and lifting her groceries. Later, I wished I had told her that helping others take their groceries out of their carts would increase her exercise routine.

Nothing remains the same. When we moved to North Augusta in the '60s, there were two communities, Hammond Hills and Lynhurst, to look for a home. Then the Colony, Windtree, Pineview Estates and others were built.

My young son fished many afternoons down where The River Club is now located.

If someone had said all of this would happen, it would have been unbelievable.

When we built on Pinon Road, we had a dirt road for many years. Now, that road is like "in the city." We would hear the train at midnight on the tracks behind our house where people now walk the Greeneway. When I return to my hometown of Greenville, I am amazed at the transition that has taken place. The city has cleaned out many areas and turned them into beautiful parks, and the polluted river that once ran through the city is now a beautiful waterfall surrounded by parks and apartments.

North Augusta has done well with its planning with the exception of the apartments next to the bridge. We can now understand why the people who promoted this project tried to sell them all from the plans before they were built. It continues to be an eyesore as you drive in from Augusta. We hope more planning will be put into this new project so another mistake like that one will not occur.

There are many pros and cons, as always, on any new projects. The town homes, shops and restaurants will fit in well on the river. But, the stadium, which will only be used at certain times, and the parking garage, in my opinion, will take away from the beauty and living conditions of what is now a unique and beautiful project.

Last week was a sad week for me as Marion fractured his hip and was hospitalized for some time at University Hospital. Much of my time was spent there the past few days, and I watched the employees as they worked so efficiently. They were so kind and caring.

The training there must be fantastic. As we traveled to surgery, back to the room, etc., we were always met with someone trying to help us.

University is to be commended for their patient and family care. There remains one complaint that I have always voiced: that of the parking garage.

It is actually frightening to walk in there. I don't know what the booth was built for because there is never anyone in it, and I have yet to see any type of police to call if there was trouble. In fact, I have actually spent the night with a patient rather than go to that garage after dark. I have been told there are safety people who can escort you to the garage. But, when Marion's son walked me to my car after dark, there was no one to ask, or no one to see anywhere in that garage. So to me, the only "bad apple" at University is the safety of people who use their parking garage.

"What's true of biology is also true of faith, if it isn't growing, it's probably dead."