Monthly Archives: February 2013
The Definition of Love
Aristophanes’ speech from Plato’s ‘Symposium’
With Valentine’s Day this week, what better time is there to analyze the true definition of love?
This lengthy dialogue is taken as an excerpt from Plato’s “Symposium,” particularly from the speech delivered by Aristophanes, the eminent Greek comic playwright of the time. Although Aristophanes warns that his speech is absurdist, its satirical content still strikes a chord in many respects to modern readers.
Aristophanes professed to open another vein of discourse; he had a mind to praise Love in another way, unlike that of either Pausanias or Eryximachus. Mankind, he said, judging by their neglect of him, have never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love. For if they had understood him they would surely have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honour; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done: since of all the gods he is the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which are the great impediment to the happiness of the race. I will try to describe his power to you, and you shall teach the rest of the world what I am teaching you.
In the first place, let me treat of the nature of man and what has happened to it. The original human nature was not like the present, but different. The sexes were not two as they are now, but originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two, of which the name survives but nothing else. Once it was a distinct kind, with a bodily shape and a name of its own, constituted by the union of the male and the female: but now only the word ‘androgynous’ is preserved, and that as a term of reproach.
In the second place, the primeval man was round, his back and sides forming a circle; and he had four hands and the same number of feet, one head with two faces, looking opposite ways, set on a round neck and precisely alike; also four ears, two privy members, and the remainder to correspond. He could walk upright as men now do, backwards or forwards as he pleased, and he could also roll over and over at a great pace, turning on his four hands and four feet, eight in all, like tumblers going over and over with their legs in the air; this was when he wanted to run fast.
Los Poblanos celebrates grand opening in Six Mile
Los Poblanos held its ribbon cutting ceremony in Six Mile last Friday. Pictured are Elaine Porter (center) with her husband Dale and restaurant manager Cheryl Frazier, along with Sen. Larry Martin and Six Mile Mayor Roy Stoddard.
SIX MILE — Fans of Mexican food in the Six Mile area are in for a treat, as Los Poblanos, a new Mexican restaurant located at 136 S. Main Street, held its grand opening celebration on Feb. 8.
Los Poblanos owner Elaine Porter is looking forward to the opportunity to officially introduce her new restaurant to friends and neighbors in Six Mile and explains her desire to invest in the community.
“Los Poblanos is a locally owned restaurant, and we are focused on serving our community and creating jobs for local residents,” said Porter.
The restaurant currently has 12 employees — a group including high school students and other locals that Porter says are like “my family once I get them.”
Another of Porter’s businesses, Durham’s Convenience Store, located at the intersection of highways 183 and 133, also serves food, and while operating a more traditional restaurant like Los Poblanos is a little different, she understands that regardless of the setting, it’s the food that matters.
“Of course, great food is our top priority, and from our freshly made salsa to our signature Los Poblanos specials, our desire is that our food is of the best quality,” Porter said.
Mayor Roy Stoddard is thrilled by the new addition to the local business community and sees the opening of Los Poblanos, along with the recent addition of Atcheson Dental, as a sign of Six Mile’s tremendous potential.
“I applaud Elaine Porter for her financial commitment and confidence in our community and look forward to a long and lasting relationship with Los Poblanos,” said Stoddard.
The family-friendly restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Courier Obits for week of 2-13-13
ALICE B. ELLISON
EASLEY — Alice Rosie Bagwell Ellison, 93, formerly of the Ariail Community, wife of the late George A. Ellison, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 at Majesty Health & Rehab.
Born in Laurens County, a daughter of the late George Oscar and Artie Holder Bagwell, Mrs. Ellison retired from Alice Manufacturing Company and was a charter member of Easley Bible Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Kenneth Ellison (Valarie) and Tony Ellison (Debbie), all of Six Mile; two daughters, Barbara Jean Dodson of Easley and Laura Howard (Donald) of Pickens a brother, Henry F. Bagwell of Easley; two sisters, Margie Roper and Lorine Hall, both of Easley; 10 grandchildren; Eddie and Tim Howard, Frank Dodson, Kent, Bryan, Kyle, Kaleb and Kirk Ellison, Megan Groves and Kara Ellison; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob and Madison Howard and Hart Ellison.
In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Ellison was predeceased by five brothers, Oscar, Walter, Earl, Eddie and Bill Bagwell; by four sisters, Emily and Ruthie Bagwell, Mary McDonald and Ethel Howard; and by a son-in-law, W. Frank Dodson.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday at Pickens View Wesleyan Church. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Meals On Wheels, P.O. Box 184, Easley, SC 29641 or to Easley Bible Methodist Church, P.O. Box 363, Easley, SC 29641.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.
Courier Classifieds 2-13-13
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County mourns death of civic leader Johnson
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
LIBERTY — The Liberty community suffered a great loss Jan. 30, as Luther Johnson, Jr., a longtime civic leader and local businessman passed away in his sleep at age 82 with his wife and son at his bedside.
A son of the late Luther Johnson, Sr., and Eva Louise Anderson Johnson, Luther Johnson, Jr., was born in Pickens County and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Benedict College in Columbia before continuing with graduate-level courses, earning a Master of Science from North Carolina A&T State University.
Education was important to Johnson, so he sought additional courses at the prestigious Penn State University, and studied religion at Clemson University in Pickens County.
During his professional life, Johnson served as principal at both Greer Elementary and Belton Middle Schools. He was also a member of the Pickens County Retired Teachers Association.
Perhaps most notable, however, was Johnson’s service as one of the oldest licensed funeral directors in the state of South Carolina. He earned his professional license as a funeral director in 1955, at a time when the licensing process was just beginning. He was an active member and also served as an officer for the South Carolina Mortician Association (SCMA) and National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.
Stepbrother charged after man shot in face
EASLEY — An Easley man is behind bars after turning himself into authorities on Sunday after his stepbrother was shot in the face on Friday.
Derrick Jeremiah Goode, 42, of 123 21st Street in Easley, had been at large since the incident and sought by police in the shooting, authorities with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said.
Police say they believe a verbal dispute between two family members resulted in a single gunshot wound to the face of an adult male also living at the home at the Silverlake Mobile Home Park.
Deputies say they were called to the Baptist Easley emergency room in reference to a shooting. When they arrived they spoke to the victim, who told officers that he was holding his brother’s gun and it went off, striking him in the lower jaw. When officers went to the waiting room, a witness at the scene told deputies that the victim was covering for his stepbrother.
After taking a written voluntary statement from the witness, deputies obtained warrants for the arrest of Goode for attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Pickens County Chief Deputy Creed Hashe told the Courier that no bond had not been set, and Goode is being held at the Pickens County detention center.
Baptist Easley names CEO
EASLEY — The Baptist Easley Hospital board of directors announced Thursday that Michael L. Batchelor has been named as the hospital’s CEO.
“I am pleased to announce the selection of Michael Batchelor,” board chairman Greg Rusnak said. “Michael comes to us with over 20 years of healthcare experience, including progressive leadership in health system and operational management, business development, and team building. While there were several qualified candidates interviewed, the board was impressed with both Michael’s experience and his commitment to the Easley community.”
The Baptist Easley board of directors, working with Atlanta-based search firm Witt-Kieffer, conducted a national search for the candidate from an initial pool of 188 applications. After personal interviews, the consulting firm chose six candidates to be interviewed by the Executive/Governance Committee of the board.
From those six candidates, three finalists were selected to spend two days (individually) being interviewed by senior leaders, board members, representatives from the Medical Executive Committee, the BEH foundation board, and the community, along with the CEOs from Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Palmetto Health System, and Baptist Easley Hospital. After careful review, the board selected Batchelor at its January meeting.
Big Apple jazz coming to Clemson’s Brooks Center
The ambiance of the iconic Birdland Jazz Club in New York City will be re-created on Clemson University’s Brooks Center stage with “Live at Birdland” featuring the Birdland Big Band directed by Tommy Igoe at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12. Created in 2006 by Igoe, the Birdland Big Band has become the most popular weekly musical residency in New York City. It is dedicated to performing unique music from all over the world. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students and are available for purchase online at www.clemson.edu/Brooks and through the box office at 864-656-7787 from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Little Texas coming to Azalea Festival
By Ben Robinson
For the Courier
PICKENS — Get ready, Pickens.
Little Texas is coming to town.
Promoter Pat Mulkey showed up at Monday night’s meeting of Pickens County Council with news that the tremendously popular country music act will be the headlining act for this year’s Azalea Festival.
“We always try to get somebody special for Pickens and the festival,” Mulkey said. “Last year we had T. Graham Brown, but this year really tops anything we’ve been able to do. Little Texas is one of the hottest groups out there. And these guys have worked their way to the top of the charts, so they don’t give half-hearted concerts.
“Everything they do is top notch.”
Robinson receives state-wide volunteer award
Frankie Robinson of Pickens, left, recently received the Danny Jones Volunteer Award for 2012 from Paul McCulloch, South Carolina Dixie Youth State Director. Robinson was awarded at the state meeting in Irmo on Jan. 16. The award is given once a year annually, and nominations are taken from any franchised dixie youth program in the state.
