Daily Archives: 06/05/2013
Taking a stand at graduation
On the day when more than 1,000 Pickens County high school seniors received their diplomas and took the next step in their lives, Liberty High School valedictorian Roy Costner IV made headlines on Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum when he tore up his commencement speech in front of the crowd and instead recited The Lord’s Prayer. Costner’s actions came in the wake of months of controversy in the school district about students delivering prayers at school board meetings. For class photos and a full listing of graduates and awards, pick up a copy of the Pickens County Courier at a store near you or subscribe by call 864-878-6391. (John Bolton/Boltonphoto.com)
School board scraps plan for second Easley middle school
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County board of trustees voted 5-1 during a meeting last week to combine the building funds budgeted for two middle schools in Easley, concentrating instead on developing one state-of-the-art school instead of two that could potentially be unequal.
Board chair and Easley representative Judy Edwards cast the lone opposing vote during the May 25 meeting.
The decision has left quite a few Easley parents and residents asking why district officials have only recently discovered there were not adequate funds to complete renovations on both middle schools as planned.
Clemson robbery suspects arrested
CLEMSON — A pair of arrests have been made in two recent armed robberies in Clemson.
According to Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon, at around 10 p.m. on May 14, two black males walked up to the rear dining room door of the Wendy’s on U.S. 123, both armed with pistols, according to police.
Employees were told to lay on floor as the suspects removed cash from the store safe, and before leaving, the suspects took cellphones from the employees, officers said.
Two nights later, at around 3 a.m. on May 17, what officers believe to be the same two suspects, again armed with pistols, went to the side door of the Little Caesars in downtown Clemson, but despite earlier reports no cash was taken after the suspects fled when an alarm was activated, police said.
PCHS wins award
PICKENS — The historic Hagood-Mauldin House was the scene recently as members of The Pickens County Historical Society received the May “We Fan The Flame” award.
With an avowed goal of “preserving and promoting all things related to the history and character of our special place,” the PCHS strives “to increase awareness of who we are and from where we have come.”
The society was organized in 1958 by Pickens County leaders. The Old Gaol, which is now the Pickens County Historical Museum, was the early headquarters of the PCHS. Over the past 55 years, the organization has grown to be the largest county historical society not only in South Carolina but also in the entire southern United States.
Baptist Easley receives breast cancer grant
EASLEY — The S.C. Mountains to the Midlands affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization has awarded Baptist Easley Hospital Foundation a grant to provide free mammograms for uninsured and under-insured patients.
Funding was in the amount of $18,338.
“We sincerely appreciate the Greenville-based Komen organization for helping Baptist Easley Hospital provide free screening and diagnostic mammograms for patients in our community who could not otherwise afford them,” said foundation director Mark Eisengrein.
County teacher earns statewide recognition
CLEMSON — A Clemson Elementary School first-grade teacher has been recognized as the South Carolina Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, History and Preserve America.
As the 2013 South Carolina History Teacher of the Year, Sarah Turpin will receive a $1,000 award, a certificate of recognition, an archive of books and historical resources presented in her name to the school’s library and an invitation to attend a 2013 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar.
Cruise-in & music
The city of Pickens hosted its first Cruise-In & Music on Main event of the year last Saturday night, sponsored by the Pickens Revitalization Association and featuring classic and custom cars and music by the Katlin Owen Band, pictured above. The series will continue this Saturday evening with a motorcycle show and music from The Sideman.
HFQHC holds grand opening
Heritage Federal Qualified Health Care celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 23. HFQHC, located at 1011 Tiger Blvd, Suite 400, in Clemson, officially opened its doors to the Clemson community and surrounding area. The mission of the Heritage FQHC is as follows: “We provide families and individuals quality primary care in a timely, efficient and consistent manner. We strive to reduce health disparities, improve continuity of care, reduce costs, and increase patient safety. This health care leads to informed patients who are able to make wise choices in regards to their health care and that of their family. We are leaders in the field of primary care- disease prevention and chronic disease treatment — using a team-based approach in South Carolina and the global community we serve.” Pictured, Dr. Debra King, center, was joined by State Senator Thomas Alexander, left, and Dr. Ricardo Hood, right, along with staff and members of the community to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Songwriters’ Showcase June 15 at Hagood Mil
Shawn James
PICKENS — “Music in the Mountains 2013” will continue with the Hagood Mill hosting a special “Songwriters’ Showcase” concert with regional songwriters on Saturday, June 15.
Hosted by singer/songwriter/entertainer Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield, the free event will feature performances on the mill’s outdoor stage beginning at noon, and will include Barfield, Michael Hunter, Shawn James, Derrick Phillips and Becky Stovall.
Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair and plan on staying a while for some great original music in different styles.
Pulling for our own
Olivia Fowler
On The Way
By Olivia Fowler
A couple of years ago Iva and I had a great time interviewing Pickens resident Francine Bryson while she demonstrated step-by-step how she baked her upside-down apple pie, the renowned pie which won the grand prize at the North Carolina Apple Festival.
She sent one of these incredible pies back with us to the office, and everybody had a slice. It was something to write home about.
Baking is clearly Francine’s passion, and her warm and bubbly personality flavors everything that comes out of her oven.
It was a real thrill to see her on CBS Sunday night at 8 p.m. competing with cooks from all over the country in The American Baking Competition.
