By Rocky Nimmons
Publisher
PICKENS — The city of Pickens is moving closer to getting a chance at either leasing or buying Pickens High School’s Bruce Field.
During Monday night’s monthly council meeting, council was told that the city was in discussion with Pickens County School Board Superintendent Henry Hunt about both possibilities.
“We would love to have it,” Pickens Recreation Director Cheri Anthony told council.
Mayor David Owens told council it would be an asset to the city to keep the facility. He added that the city still needed to study the cost involved in maintaining the stadium and wait to hear further from the school district on their thought on selling or leasing the property.
In other business, council voted to pass the final reading of ordinances that will raise water rates in light of the upcoming renovation planned for the city’s aging water plant. The increase will raise rates to city residents $3 per month for water and $2 per month for sewer service. Those outside the city will see a $5 water rate increase.
Owens told council letters have been sent to inform all customers of the added cost. The increase is expected to be seen on city water bills during the February billing cycle.
Council also voted to pass the final reading on ordinances that will amend the city budget and procurement codes. The amendments would make the budget more closely mirror that of neighboring city municipalities and that of the state model. The biggest change would be the need for sealed bids for expenses from $5,000-$10,000.
Council then voted to pass the first reading of an ordinance to rezone a parcel of land on 316 South Lewis Street to RM-16.
Councilman Carlton Holley informed council that the Pickens Senior Center on Hagood Street would be available for Christmas parties and other events at a rate of $15 per hour. He said the center offers a full kitchen and plenty of parking for those looking for a nice place for the holidays.
Holley said that availability could be obtained by calling the center or city hall.

EASLEY — The National Weather Service has confirmed than a tornado is, in fact, responsible for the structural damage and downed power lines and trees throughout the downtown Easley area.

Officials say the twister touched down between approximately 7:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

Easley City Administrator Fox Simons said that in spite of the damage done to homes and businesses, the Easley community was quite lucky.

“There were church basketball games going on and kids at The Spotlight Dance Studio downtown,” Simons said. “Thankfully no one was injured in the storm.”

According to the Fujita Scale, used to rate the intensity of a tornado based on the structural damage left behind, Tuesday’s tornado measured at F1, or ‘moderate tornado’ with winds ranging from 73-112 mph, Simons said.

Main Street, specifically the stretch between Pendleton Street and South 1st, was the hardest hit area in the storm. Businesses in the area experienced flooding and major damage to brick facades. The building that formerly housed Vikalin’s Coffee Shop and neighboring Uncle Sam’s Antiques, located across the railroads tracks, also suffered significant injury.

Sections of Main Street have been closed to traffic while crews work on clean-up efforts.

Simons predicts that Main Street will be open by Thursday night, Dec. 2. A shelter has been set up by the American Red Cross at the First Baptist Church of Easley at 300 E. First Street.

EASLEY — Pickens County has no shortage of cultural and historic sites. Pickens County has no shortage of educational opportunities. But, according to Cindy Wolthuis, Pickens County has a shortage of GALs.
Wolthuis is the County Coordinator for the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program in Pickens County. According to Wolthuis, who recently addressed the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a GAL is a trained volunteer who advocates for abused and neglected children.
“We are receiving one new child a day into the system,” said Wolthuis. “A child who needs someone to speak for him in court, a child who needs someone to listen to what he has to say.” The Pickens program has represented more than 440 children, on behalf of 214 family groups, referred by DSS, since July 1.
“Our goal is to place children in a safe, permanent home where they can grow and thrive,” said Wolthuis.
Two members of the Fort Prince George DAR Chapter currently serve as GAL volunteers.
“I was afraid I would get too attached to the kids, that it would be too emotional,” said Harriet Nash. She noted the training she received helps keep her emotions in check and remain objective.
According to Nash, the most important thing is to visit the child, get to know him or her so that you can make recommendations to the Family Court and other agencies about what is in a child’s best interest.
“You visit the child at least once each month,” Nash added.
Anyone who has a desire to help abused and neglected children, can spend one day each month visiting the child, and appear at court hearings to advocate on the child’s behalf can become a GAL.
“The training is the key,” said Lynda Abegg, also a GAL. “With the training I received, I feel I can effectively advocate for these children.”
Wolthuis noted that DSS has a lawyer to speak for them and the parents have a lawyer to speak for them, but there is no one to speak for the child and to tell the court what the child would like. That is where the GAL volunteer comes in. The judge will ask the GAL volunteer if they are in agreement before he rules on a case.
Wolthuis has worked in the field of social welfare for more than 10 years, beginning her career in Pickens County DSS in 1991. She worked for the SC Governor’s Office with the Foster Care Review Board beginning in 1997. Wolthuis began her position as County Coordinator the Pickens County Guardian Ad Litem Program in January 2010.
Want to be a GAL?  Go to Pickens.scgal.org or call 878-0807.
DAR is a women’s service organization that encourages patriotism, promotes historic preservation and provides educational opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about DAR, please contact Lynda Abegg at 850-3071.

EASLEY — The Baptist Easley Hospital Foundation invites schools classes, church groups, day care facilities, senior citizens and families of Pickens and northern Anderson County to the 17th annual Festival of Trees, on display at Baptist Easley Hospital from November 29-December 27.
“We are excited to have 44 businesses and individuals sponsor a tree and support the Foundation’s efforts to enhance the quality of care at the hospital,” said foundation manager Lovell Byars. “We have the largest indoor display of Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and Christmas wreaths in Pickens County.”
The public is invited to view the 44 decorated Christmas trees and 50 gingerbread houses on display during the hours of 9 a.m.-8 p.m. in the concourse of Baptist Easley Hospital. There is no cost for the 17th annual Festival of Trees.
“Area residents have been bringing their families to our hospital for years to view the beautifully-decorated trees,” said foundation chair Mac Lawton. “We invite everyone in the community to stop by our hospital to see the winter wonderland of trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses that is sure to ignite the holiday spirit
“We also invite the public to purchase a donated Christmas wreaths and decorated gingerbread houses. It’s a great way for you to decorate your house or business and support our Foundation,” said Lawton
For more information about the 17th annual Festival of Trees, contact the foundation office at (864) 442-7569.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Reporter
Growing up in Miami, I experienced only two seasonal changes: hot and humid in the fall and winter followed by extremely hot and humid in the spring and summer. Amusement abounded each September when department stores would begin stocking wool pants and puffy down-filled jackets.
Winter has taken on an entirely new connotation in the decade I have lived in South Carolina. For the first time in my life, I actually have a need for a winter coat, and I am fortunate enough to be able to afford one. Others, however, do not have the same luxury.
This Saturday, Dec. 4, marks the ninth year of the Winter Warmth clothing distribution in Pickens.
In years past, Winter Warmth was held at Pickens Presbyterian Church. However, the dramatic growth in need and donations has warranted a change in location. This year the clothing distribution is located in the old Winn Dixie building in Pickens. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, anyone in need of warm winter clothing can visit the distribution center and receive free clothing until 11:30 a.m. that morning.
Many individuals and families are having a difficult time staying afloat in our current economic crisis, and mortgages, rent, electricity, heat and groceries aren’t cheap. Those living on fixed incomes often have to choose between eating and taking prescribed medications. After making the house and utility payments, others find there isn’t enough money left over for anything else.
Churches have always been the cornerstones of the community. Reverend Nath Briley, pastor of Pickens Presbyterian, said “caring for the community and ministering to those in need has always been one of the church’s central callings.”
Briley, along with the leaders of four other local churches, joined together to revive The Pickens Ministerial Association.
Reverends Jimmy Dillard of Grace Methodist, Bob Kasting of Faith Lutheran, Lewis Edwards of Pickens View Wesleyan, Briley of Pickens Presbyterian and Father Efiong of Holy Cross Catholic Church meet once a month as The Pickens Ministerial Association.
“We enjoy one another,” Briley said. “When we get together, we discuss the needs in the community, we pray for the community and we minister to one another. Ministries vary among churches. We have decided to work together for the benefit of Pickens.”
This Saturday will be the first time these five churches have worked jointly on the Winter Warmth clothing distribution. Each church congregation collected donations of a specific article of winter clothing. On Friday, volunteers from each congregation will sort and organize the donations for Saturday’s distribution.
“Clothing will be available to people of all ages — from infant to adult,” Briley said. “It is all free. Whatever clothing we don’t give away on Saturday will be given to community organizations in Pickens so it will find its way to someone who needs it.”
Winter weather is certainly on the way, and no one should have to suffer through a cold winter. Anyone interested in making a donation to Winter Warmth is asked to contact Rev. Nath Briley, president of The Pickens Ministerial Association, at (864) 878-9422.

COUNTY — The Western Piedmont Regional Emergency Management Task Force, a collaboration of Pickens, Anderson, Abbeville, Greenwood and Oconee Counties, has received national honors by receiving the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) “Partners in Preparedness” Award.
The award was presented to the task force for their collaborative efforts during the Red Dragon/Palmetto Shield Exercise held earlier this year.
To complete the exercise, the counties partnered with the U.S. Army Reserve, FEMA, SLED, local and state agencies, private industries and volunteer organizations to demonstrate cooperation during a disaster.
“To be selected for this award by the IAEM is truly an honor and speaks volumes for the emergency preparedness of all of the Counties involved,” said Lynn Fisher, Director of Emergency Preparedness for Pickens County. “Our focus of the exercise earlier this year was to quickly bring together all of the key players who would aide in the event a disaster takes place.”
“This adds another comfort level to emergency preparedness departments in each of these counties,” Fisher said.
Earlier in the year, the same group of counties received the 2010 Barrett-Lawrimore Award sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Counties recognizing their preparedness efforts.

ANDERSON — A man that had escaped from the Pickens County Stockade is back in jail thanks to the work of the Easley Police Department, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force.
Brandon Karl Hilterbrandt, 27, of Travelers Rest, fled the stockade on November 12. Hilterbrandt was in custody on a 60-day shoplifting charge.
Officers say that on November 29 at around 1 p.m. Hilterbrandt was apprehended on River Road in Anderson County.
Hilderbrandt was returned to Pickens County, is now being jailed at the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center and is awaiting a hearing on the escape charge.