COUNTY — After a long and grueling political year, the November general election is finally nearly upon us.

From the decertification of dozens of candidates for the June primary election to lawsuits and allegations flying between candidates and party officials in the months since, this political season has been filled with more turmoil than any in recent memory, and many voters will be glad just to have the election over come next Tuesday night.

Not only will local voters get their say in whether Democrat Barack Obama remains in the White House or is knocked out by Republican challenger Mitt Romney, but several local seats are up for grabs and should feature tight races to determine who will represent the people of Pickens County.

EASLEY — United Christian Ministries (UCM) will host its first-ever Fall Fest 5K Run and Walk this Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the amphitheater and Old Market Square in downtown Easley.

Since 1989, UCM has been serving people in need throughout the Pickens and northern Anderson (Powdersville) communities. At its inception, UCM was supported by approximately 48 supporting churches. Today, more than 80 area churches provide resources through faithful financial gifts, donations of food and clothing, and volunteers who are truly the hearts and hands of UCM services.
A cooperative effort, UCM helps people in Pickens County in need of food, clothing, winter warmth, and help with household items like rent, utility payments and electricity. They are able to help those in need because of the generous philanthropy of people in the Pickens community who have the provisions to donate to this cornerstone organization.

PICKENS — The board of directors of the Historic Old Pickens Foundation would like to invite everyone to a dedication ceremony to honor the past.

Recently, an 1887 pump organ was donated and installed at the Old Pickens Presbyterian Church. The ceremony will take place at the church, located just off of S.C. 183 near the entrance to Duke Energy, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11, at 2:30 p.m. Honored guests will include Carolyn Yonally from Greenville and her family. They are the generous donors of the organ. Those attending will learn the interesting history of the organ, how it was built and hear the organ played by Jane Pridgen of Salem.

CENTRAL — Dr. Todd S. Voss, inaugurated Oct. 26 as Southern Wesleyan University’s 18th president, shared the vision of a purpose-driven university radically pursuing the call to produce leaders of virtue and vision.

The Inauguration ceremony, which took place at Newton Hobson Chapel on the university’s campus in Central, featured official greetings from representatives of the university’s student body, staff and faculty as well as alumni and community leaders. Also in attendance were college and university presidents and other higher education representatives, as well as members of the Voss family.

“Southern Wesleyan now has a culture of ‘yes,’ a culture of ‘can do’ and a culture of empowerment which has penetrated and permeated all areas of the campus, including academics,” said Dr. Walt Sinnamon, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at SWU, in his remarks during the ceremony.

PICKENS — The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) recently announced that Pickens High School student AnnaMarie L. Newell from Pickens has been selected for membership.

The Society recognizes top scholars and invites only those students who have achieved academic excellence. The announcement was made by NSHSS Founder and Chairman Claes Nobel, a senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes.

“On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that AnnaMarie has demonstrated to achieve this level of academic excellence,” said Nobel. “AnnaMarie is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.”
“Our vision is to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources, and opportunities,” said NSHSS President James Lewis. “We aim to help students like AnnaMarie build on their academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community.”

COUNTY — Pickens County Meals on Wheels held its second-annual Pedal Pickens County Meals on Wheels Charity Ride on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The event, sponsored by Foothills Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Providence Care, Durham-Green Construction and Ride On Bicycles, raised more than $3,700 for the Meals on Wheels program.

The event was designed for cyclists who enjoy the rolling hills, challenging climbs, exhilarating descents and the beautiful scenery that northern Pickens County provides. Riders completed courses of varying distances: a 25-mile, 40-mile, or the 66-mile Metric Century ride which toured portions of beautiful Eastatoee Valley and Caesars Head. Top-finishers Kevin Satterfield and Robert Murray completed the challenging Metric Century tour in an incredible 4:17.
Tim Granger of Pickens was this year’s top-fundraiser, and in appreciation of his extraordinary efforts, he received a log cabin getaway in the Big Eastatoee Valley as well as dinner to two at Chef Giovanni 24 Main in downtown Travelers Rest.

UPSTATE — Signups are now underway for evening classes in acoustic bluegrass instruments in Clemson, Travelers Rest, Greenville, Easley, Pickens and Walhalla that will begin the week of Monday, Nov. 5. These classes are part of the Young Appalachian Music program.

The evening music program is designed to teach students to play acoustic instruments in the traditional way, by ear. Instruments include guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and bass.

To sign up for the Easley and Greenville lessons, contact Susan Ware-Snow at (864) 979-9188 or susu9196@gmail.com. To sign up for lessons in Pickens, Clemson, Travelers Rest and Walhalla, contact Betty McDaniel at (864) 878-4257 or mcdanibw1@gmail.com. The cost is $60 per six-week session, and instrument rental is available for $25 per six-week session. Enrollment dates are through Friday, Nov. 9; late signups will be allowed. Lessons will begin Monday, Nov. 5 and are open to all ages from third grade through adults.

PICKENS — Pickens View Wesleyan Church is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Pickens View Wesleyan is located off Highway 8 at 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road just outside Pickens.

In 1912, The Rev. J. R. Davis organized the Pickens View Church with 14 members. A parcel of land was purchased from Mr. W. W. T. Nalley on February 1, 1913. The location was about two miles east of Pickens on the next hill over from town. The town of Pickens could be seen in the distance so the church was named “Pickens View.”

The January 30, 1913, edition of The Pickens Sentinel noted the following information, “The Wesleyans have bought the old M.E. (Methodist Episcopal) church house and are taking it down and will erect a Wesleyan Church on the Pickens and Easley road.” The men of the church drove horses and wagons to Pickens to pick up the lumber.

John Wilfred McGee, Jr.

Easley — Mr. John Wilfred McGee, Jr., 70, of 416 Duvall St., died Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born Feb. 20, 1942 in Savannah, Ga., he was the son of the late John McGee, Sr. and the late Ruby Moye McGee. Mr. McGee was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and retired from Charleston Memorial Hospital.

He was a simple man who loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Speller and Ralph Speller; daughters, Shana Merck, JonAnn McGee and Lori Newton; and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.

Announcements

Foster Parents Needed! SAFY needs families for therapeutic foster youth. Training starts soon! Please call 864-250-1601 for more information.
Oct. 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
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Foster Parents Needed! SAFY needs families for therapeutic foster youth. Training starts soon! Please call 864-250-1601 for more information.
Oct. 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, IS THE LAST DAY to redeem winning tickets in the following South Carolina Education Lottery Instant Game: (494) Wheel of Fortune. SW
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