by Ann Marie Dwyer

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

Rising oil prices are isolating rural America. Small town way of life is in the throes of death.

Rural America is known for long-time residents who rely on slow rising gasoline prices to reach the supplies they need to sustain itself from month to month. The rising cost of oil is crippling these towns.

Kershaw, South Carolina is a prime example of a rural town of 2,500 residents. They travel once or twice per month to neighboring cities to buy the items not available in the small town. Many commute to the city to work.

Workers are moving closer to the jobs. Sheila Hinson, local Realtor, said, "My business is booming in the city, but hurting in Kershaw." She cannot sell the homes left behind.

"I have to go to town once a month now because I cannot afford the gas. I had to buy a bigger freezer," said Mary Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson. This local merchant has to open her store more hours despite doctor's orders in treatment her Parkinson's disease.

A Rite-Aid Pharmacy employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, "We are filling less prescriptions. The senior citizens cannot afford to come get their medicine."

Daycare centers have waiting lists for the first time. Families that have always been one-income, now demand two incomes to make ends meet.

Children are suffering the cost of gasoline as well. School buses are prohibited from running air conditioning units. School boards are to vote by summer's end on the temperature in the classrooms this fall.

School commutes are hurting residents. Katherine Long, University of South Carolina (USC) student said, "I had to cut my class schedule because I cannot afford to drive to Columbia more than twice per week." USC is 50 miles from Kershaw.

Lancaster County Library has cut routes the Book Mobile has traveled for the last twelve years. Chief librarian said, "With the cost of gas, we are looking for ways to cut the budget."

Meals-on-Wheels has operated in Kershaw from the Lancaster office since it was founded. Meals have not been delivered to Kershaw since oil was $103.00 per barrel in February, 2008.

Other charities are struggling to meet the community's needs. When asked for a charity donation, H&H Chevrolet dealership owner Annette Hinson replied, "People cannot buy cars, and business has been so off that I cannot afford to give."

Many residents are buying golf carts to drive around town. Town drivers are more frequently sharing the road with motor scooters from local motor sports shops.

Life-long resident Kenny Roberts

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