Jim Dreyfuss:  

Life Growing up in Hampton, in Low Country South Carolina, couldn't have been a more ideal place to start life. My father successfully started and operated a Western Auto store, despite being partially blind in both eyes from WWII. He survived three B-25 Mitchell "belly landings" (no wheels) during the war. My three sisters and I were expected to work in the store, and we did! Many "life lessons" were learned there. My profile picture was taken about five years ago, and is of my father and me at the family's river house. The house is on Paukie Island, just outside of Beaufort, SC. One of the most interesting things I did while at Wade Hampton High School as a senior was to play in what probably was the first integrated band in Hampton County (1969-70). During this time of social unrest, and integration in the south, such a group was an unusual thing. We played mostly black night clubs, and we all had a blast. I've some interesting stories about this experience (such as playing at the Tomahawk Lounge in Coosawhatchie). Graduation found me heading to Presbyterian College to play football. Music, girls and football were my main interests in high school and college, with education being a distant fourth place. However, these priorities changed as life moved on. In later years I went on to earn an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education, with minors (cognates) in history and library science, both degrees from the University of South Carolina. After bouncing around in sales my first few years out of college, my academic interests emerged, thus the advanced degrees. I worked at the University of South Carolina in administration during and after my degrees. But, about 1999, I was offered the chance to work at Cardinal Newman High as head librarian and football coach. The decision to leave USC was easy because I had the opportunity to coach my son, Nelson, in football. He and I had an incredibly great time. I am now back in my hometown, Hampton, SC, where I am taking care of my own health, and my father, who is 88. I'm also working as a librarian at Wade Hampton, my high school alma mater. The definition of "man" in the dictionary should have my father's life story. The years, 2004-2005, were ones of ill health and operations, but I have recovered pretty well. I was married, but am divorced, and have one son, Nelson. Old Nelson is at USC Aiken, and doing very well. 2008 will be his second year in college, and serving as head JV coach at Augusta Christian. Yes, that'...Expand for more