Museum volunteers get to indulge their interest

Richard Mandia has a degree in history but he never had the opportunity to use it in the corporate world. Now that he's retired and living in Aiken, Mr. Mandia and his wife, Cheryl, are feeding their interest in the subject.

"There is so much to learn, and it really is a good way for us to learn history," said Mrs. Mandia, who started volunteering at the Aiken County Historical Museum along with her husband about 18 months ago.

Museum executive director Elliott Levy has plenty of stories to tell the Mandias, and visitors to the museum.

The Mandias were especially intrigued about the museum director's story of how the railroad came to Aiken partly because a train engineer was in love with an Aiken woman.

And they enjoy passing on information about Aiken County's past. They usually work at the museum on weekends.

"We come in a few times a month. We've helped with special events. We're pretty flexible," said Mrs. Mandia.

Mrs. Mandia also volunteers for the American Red Cross in Aiken.

"I help with the Sweet Charity group. We help victims of fires and floods," said Mrs. Mandia, who is a registered nurse and works part-time as a case manager for Professional Case Management.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.