SUNSET — Remember the old-time Sunday School Christmas play, with a solemn Mary and Joseph and tearless Baby Jesus? Angels with feathery wings and toy trumpets that — oh WOE! — were once found to work, while the preacher prayed?

Wise Men in bathrobes, and a shepherd boy who was supposed to say, “Behold, yonder star in the east,” which instead came out “Oh Help!,” and the hunting beagles who ran into the church to join in the singing?

They’ll come to life again, with many other players, under the Christmas star over Lake Jocassee, as McKinney Chapel presents the timeless story, on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. The harmonica player is coming, with other musicians. The lights will shine in welcome.

The youth ministry of Flat Rock Baptist Church invites the public to a living recreation of the story of Christ’s birth by a visit to Bethlehem. Visitors will witness a rustic manger, humble stable, actors and live animals recreating that holy night, an experience that promises to bring true meaning to this year’s holiday season. Flat Rock Baptist Church is located at 115 Slab Bridge Road in Liberty, and the living nativity will be held Dec. 20-22 from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

EASLEY — A 17-year-old Easley High student was expelled from school Monday and charged by police after weapons, including a loaded handgun, were found in his car on campus.

Hunter Green was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, according to Maj. Tim Tollison of the Easley Police Department.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

COUNTY — Families of children who attend schools throughout Pickens County received a phone call from district superintendent Dr. Kelly Pew following the school shooting massacre that left 20 children and seven adults dead in Newtown, Conn., last Friday morning.

“The tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., have left our hearts heavy for the families and community that were impacted,” Pew said in the message. “When an event of this nature occurs, we reflect on the safety plans we have in place within our schools to ensure the safety of our children.

“The principals and district administration believe that your child’s safety is our top priority. Our principals are always mindful of safety, but I have asked that we maintain a heightened awareness of safety in our schools.”

In addition to the normal safety procedures followed by schools in the School District of Pickens County, Pew assured parents and caregivers that all the exterior entrances to the schools would be locked and that principals would ensure that teachers keep individual classroom doors locked.

COUNTY — Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputies along with deputies from Oconee County and officers from the Clemson University Police Department and Clemson Police Department, arrested 19 people last Wednesday on various drug charges.

A total of 66 warrants for crimes including sale of marijuana, sale of a controlled substance and sale within proximity to a school or daycare were served on the 19 arrested, 11 of which are Clemson students.

Additional warrants are outstanding for four other subjects that had not been arrested at press time.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

EASLEY — The Dream Center continues to make strides towards helping families in Pickens County overcome the problems of generational poverty and homelessness so they can become self-sufficient.

On Friday, Dec. 14, Dream Center organizers Jim and Chris Wilson, along with Steven Lambright of the United Way and other local agency representatives met to discuss future program ideas and initiatives, but also to receive and give thanks for the donation of a 12-foot box truck from Davey Hiott and family and Hiott Printing in Pickens.

“The Dream Center is making a difference in Pickens County and it is our privilege to assist them in their efforts,” said Hiott. “The need in Pickens County is increasing daily, and groups such as the Dream Center are reaching out to help meet these needs.”

PICKENS — The winner of the December “I Fan The Flame” award, Tunkie Stokes, is a true gift to Pickens.

As a lifelong first-generation resident of Pickens, Stokes’ life has been one of giving back to the community and those that live here.

“It’s obvious, after all these years, that I love living in Pickens,” she said. “I love the honest, hard-working, friendly people and the unique qualities of this smaller town. We have no relatives here, but our lifelong friends take their place.”

Although she lived most of her life in town, Stokes did have the unique experience of living in Table Rock State Park, where her dad was superintendent, for eight years.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

Christmas crackers have been a part of our dinner tradition for the last decade at least. Georgina, a dear friend of ours while in Miami, sent my mom and me a gift of crackers for Christmas one year. Originally from England, crackers had been a part of Georgina’s traditions growing up, and once she introduced them to our family, they are one thing I look forward to each year.

Christmas crackers are a traditional Christmas favorite in the UK. They were first made around 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French ‘bon bon’ sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper). Add to this a fascination with the sparks and cracks coming from the fireplace, and Smith thought it would be a fun idea if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

Most of us leave cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. In our house, we also leave celery for the reindeer. Last year the girls were each given a bag of Magic Reindeer food.

Making it with your children can be a fun holiday tradition. In addition, it can also be put into bags and ornamented with a cute tag and explanation. Magic Reindeer Food makes a great gift for school parties or last-minute gift ideas for little ones.

The recipe is both simple and inexpensive. Some people add glitter to the recipe; however, if you are going to sprinkle it on the lawn with your children, the glitter might be unsafe for animals like squirrels, rabbits or birds to ingest.

Mix 1/4 cup oatmeal and 1/4 cup of sugar. In lieu of glitter add red or green sugar crystals — the type you would use for baking. Depending on how fancy you wish to get or how much money you want to invest, you could add any kind of glittery edible confection used for cookie or cupcake decorating. Again, if you want to be creative, you might add cheerios or seeds that other animals might enjoy.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

In the book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, written by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell, Aebersold shares how the elf became part of her family tradition and how an elf can become part of yours:

“Have you ever wondered how Santa could know if you’re naughty or nice each year as you grow? For hundreds of years it has been a big secret. It now can be shared if you promise to keep it.

“At holiday time Santa sends me to you. I watch and report on all that you do. My job’s an assignment from Santa himself. I am his helper, a friendly scout elf.
“The first time I come to the place you call home you quickly must give me a name of my own. Once you are finished my mission can start. What will you call me – Markle or Zart? Will it be Foddle, Criddle or Clyde? Fisbee’s cute, too, but you must decide.

“Each night while you’re sleeping to Santa I’ll fly to the North Pole right through the dark sky. Of course Christmas magic helps me to be quick. I laugh with my friends and report to Saint Nick.