Monthly Archives: November 2012
It’s a slow week
Life As I Know It
By Nicole Daughhetee
It is difficult to come up with something brilliant to write week after week. Both hyper critical and competitive (I mostly compete against my own personal best, which one might think makes the game a win-win every time. Alas. That is not the case.), I agonize over word choices, sentence variation, tone and cohesiveness.
Often times I desire to deliver a sagacious message — food for thought for my readers — that will inspire just one person to make the world a better place. Other times I think of writers like Dave Barry (I can remember reading him in the Miami Herald and thinking how cool it would be to write for the newspaper) and I want to be funny — to throw out some zinger that people talk about at the proverbial office water cooler.
This happens to be one of those weeks where the thoughts that will eventually translate into words on this page feel stifled — despite the fact that there is certainly a lot of fodder for conversational writing both nationally and in our community.
I don’t have much to say about the recent election.
Truth be told, I am one of the few in the Upstate who voted for Obama. That said, I also voted for many Republican candidates in Pickens County. As if I had a choice! (My editor has made me so paranoid about offending our readership that I have to add — People, that is supposed to be funny.)
While it is possible for me to maintain objectivity and a balance of voices when I write, I can’t help but shake my head and laugh about the recent dog debacle in Easley.
Seriously!?!?
I cannot wrap my brain around how surreally this entire ordeal continues to unfold right before my very eyes. I still don’t understand why, between law enforcement, magistrates, council members and the mayor, something cannot — has not — been done to return the dog to the family who unequivocally owns her, especially when that ownership has been publicly conceded by the people who refuse to return her.
Of course, I could also comment on the factions at war over the old, abandoned Doodle Line. Pickens and Easley would like to combine their efforts and turn the old rail line into a safe, aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian-friendly path where families can ride bicycles, run or walk and not only enjoy the out-of-doors but also reap some of the health benefits associated with physical activity.
As there is any time a current of change surges through the county, certain groups are appalled by the notion that taxpayer dollars would be used to groom Pickens and Easley into anything remotely resembling Greenville. Put in a pedestrian-friendly trail and what’s next?
Yep. This has definitely been one of those weeks when my thought well has been depleted and dehydrated. Here’s hoping something interesting happens so I have something to write about for next week!
Remembering a forgotten hero
All About Ben
By Ben Robinson
With Veteran’s Day Sunday, my thoughts could not help but turn to the only member of my family — at least as far back as I know — who ever died in the service.
We’ve had several who served, including my father, who used to repeat the military training chants when he and I walked up our driveway when I was a kid. (Apparently the drill instructor would shout “You had a good home but you left,” and the soldiers would shout back, “You’re right!”)
I also have seen photos of my uncle Farris from when he was in the service. But the one photo that stuck with me most was the one of my uncle J.B. Robinson, who died while serving the country during peacetime.
Six Mile Baptist Church hosting its fifth annual ‘Feast-O-Plenty’
SIX MILE — Six Mile Baptist Church is hosting the fifth Annual “Feast-O-Plenty” on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Last year, approximately 400 people attended the dinner, and this year organizers are hoping to share with even more.
The meal will be served in the Roper Building, located at 150 North Main Street in Six Mile, across the street from the church.
The event is a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone living in and around the town of Six Mile. A traditional holiday meal of turkey, dressing and gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread, desserts and drinks will be served dine-in.
Obituaries 11-14-12
Mark Brougham
Easley — Stephen Mark Brougham, 60, of 305 Mulberry Road, husband of Frances Childs Brougham, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 at Greenville Memorial Medical Center.
Mark was born in Scotia, N.Y., a son of the late Robert Wayne and Dorothy Dafoe Brougham. He was retired as an ASE Certified Auto Technician having worked for Pickens Tire, Mike Johnson, as well as being self employed.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Frances, of the home, three sons, David A. Brougham (Melissa) of Dacusville, Jonathan M. Brougham of the home and Thomas W. Brougham of Easley and five grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Donna Brougham and Linda Brougham both of California and Marjorie Brougham of Oregon.
Funeral services were conducted 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Brougham family.
Courier Classified 11-14-12
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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Do you own an antique or modern U.S. or foreign military vehicle? If so, “I WANT YOU” to join our veterans club, USMTM, please email for info: us.mtm66@yahoo.com. TFC
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MEDICAL CAREERS begin here – Train ONLINE for Allied Health and Medical Management. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if
Clark, Skelton, Martin win
Romney overwhelmingly takes Pickens County
COUNTY — In one of the largest turn-outs in recent memory, Pickens County voters voiced their choices in county, state and national races on Tuesday.
More than 71 percent of the registered voters in Pickens County voted, with 9,335 voting straight Republican tickets and 3,509 voters voting straight Democratic.
Voters selected Republican Rick Clark as the first new sheriff in Pickens County in more than 40 years, as he garnered 54.7 percent of the vote, with 23,433 ballots cast in his favor, ahead of longtime assistant sheriff Tim Morgan’s 16,259 votes and fellow petition candidate Stan Whitten’s 3,035.
Perhaps the most controversial race throughout the election season was that for the State House of Representatives District 3 seat, and the battle between incumbent B.R. Skelton and petition candidate Ed Harris did not disappoint Tuesday. The race was the closest of the night in the county, with Skelton retaining his seat by picking up 53.2 perce
Stone honored with Wilkins Award
Pickens County Sheriff C. David Stone was given the 2012 Billy Wilkins Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement last week. Stone, who is in his final two months as sheriff after a 44-year service, received the award in a ceremony at the Pickens County Courthouse.
“It is a pleasure for me to stand before you all and say I’ve enjoyed law enforcement for 44 years and I hope Pickens County goes forward,” Stone said. “That’s what it’s all about — we’ve got to take Pickens County onward.”
Residents urged to take action following cyber security breach
By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Writer
The State of South Carolina is offering residents and businesses one year of credit monitoring and identity-theft protection following one of the largest cyber security breaches in the state or nation.
State and federal officials continue to investigate the cyber theft — a massive security breach that began in August but was not discovered until October.
Based on the latest reports, the SC Department of Revenue database taken by a foreign hacker contained 3.6 million Social Security numbers and approximately 387,000 credit and debit card numbers.
What does this mean for residents of Pickens County?
Easley medians getting facelift
By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Reporter
EASLEY — If you’ve driven through Easley on Calhoun Memorial Highway recently, chances are you’ve noticed that the center island median between Bi-Lo and Ingles has had a dramatic facelift, thanks to SCBT’s participation in Partners in Pride.
The Easley Junior Women’s Club has sponsored a center island by Publix, near the Brushy Creek overpass along U.S. 123, and it is currently under construction.
Presented during Easley’s state of the city address this February, the Partners in Pride Program, an initiative designed to create aesthetically pleasing green space along Highway 123, is now under way.
2 arrested in string of vehicle break-ins
PICKENS — Pickens police made two arrests last Tuesday night in a string of auto break-ins in the city.
According to Assistant Chief Travis Riggs of the Pickens Police Department, about 22 different vehicles were broken into.
On Oct. 30 around midnight, a detective with the Pickens Police Deparment approached three suspects. After speaking with them, two were charged in the cases, suspected in about 20 auto break-ins, Riggs said.
