Daily Archives: 08/07/2013
Football finally returns
Grayson Howell
On the eve of high school football practice’s first day, hundreds of gridiron fans were able to get an early start to the 2013 season last Thursday at Easley High School, as the Green Wave hosted a community meet-and-greet event at the school’s stadium. Players and coaches signed autographs for fans, who also had the opportunity to eat, listen to music and play games. Above, a line of fans waits to get autographs from Green Wave players. At right, first-year Easley head coach Grayson Howell addresses the fans in attendance at the event. The Green Wave will be trying to build on former coach Chad Smith’s successful tenure at the helm when the 2013 season gets under way with the annual Sam Wyche Meals on Wheels Food Fight Bowl against Pickens at Easley on Aug. 23.
Officer fired after ticketing Swinney won’t seek suit against Pickens
PICKENS — The Pickens Police Department officer fired last year after posting details of a traffic stop on Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney on an internet message board has decided not to seek a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the city of Pickens.
Reports surfaced last week that Michael McClatchy has decided not to move forward with his lawsuit after being hired by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office in May.
A vehicle driven by Swinney, whose legal name is William Christopher Swinney, was stopped for speeding in the parking lot of Bi-lo in Pickens at around 8 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2012.
Pickens Rotary Club wins Flame award
Pickens Mayor David Owens presents the We Fan The Flame award to Doc Giddings, Pickens Rotary President, and other members of the local chapter.
PICKENS — “Service Above Self” is the Rotary International motto, and the Pickens chapter certainly lives those words. In recognition of the many things the organization does locally, nationally and internationally, the club recently received the We Fan the Flame Award.
Pickens Rotary is a service organization that is part of a global network of more than 32,000 clubs. It is made up of business, professional and community leaders — volunteers that provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and help build goodwill in the world. Illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water and environmental concerns are just a few of the challenges Rotary seeks to address.
SDPC gets scores from state
COUNTY — Results released by the South Carolina Department of Education last week show a 1.7 percent increase in SDPC students passing the high school exit exam on their first attempt in 2013.
This year’s increase follows a 0.7 percent increase the previous year.
With 86.1 percent of students passing both sections on the first attempt, district scores were above the state score by 4.1 percent.
Just one more time
Former Pickens High School football players practice recently at Bruce Field for their upcoming alumni game against the Transylvania County alumni.
PHS alumni get another chance on gridiron
PICKENS — Many young men have roamed the halls of Pickens High School through the years.
A select number have walked those same halls very distracted on Fridays, though not by pretty girls or thoughts of the weekend ahead. Rather, these young men have had their focus and mental energy fixated on the battle that awaited them that Friday night on the gridiron. They’ve sweat, bled, laughed and cried together. They’ve shared the triumph of victory and the sting of defeat as one unit, with one heartbeat.
These young men are the Pickens High School Blue Flame.
Eventually those days come to an end, and these young men turn into fathers and husbands and begin their careers. Many of them find themselves awake at night each year as the smell of fall fills the air, recalling those days in pads and helmet.
The men can be heard to say “I would give anything to play the game one more time…”
That day has come.
Alumni Football USA has provided an opportunity to former gladiators of the gridiron all over the country to relive their glory days, and Pickens alumni have their chance this Saturday to take the field once more.
The Blue Flame alumni team, which consists of more than 30 players who graduated from 1983-2011, will be battling the Trannsylvania County alumni, comprised of players from Rosman and Brevard High Schools, this Saturday at Bruce Field, the former home of the Blue Flame.
It is a full-contact, high school rules game that promises to be a slugfest.
Beyond providing an opportunity for former players to play the game they love, the main purpose of the game is to raise money for student athletes.
Fans can buy tickets at the door, but organizers urge everyone to buy their tickets pregame, as 50 percent of those ticket sales go to the Blue Flame Touchdown Club. The Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization that raises money for Pickens athletic teams and athletes from the rec level all the way through high school, and contributes through purchasing new equipment, uniforms, school supplies for individuals that need help, etc.
Tickets are $10 apiece and are available in Pickens at JD Sports, Bilo, and Heidi’s Hot Dogs. Tickets can also be purchased through Josh Dorr and Matthew “Stump” Brannan. Call (864) 238-6070 for Josh or (864) 637-8675 for Stump.
Three workshops set at county museum
PICKENS — The Pickens County Museum of Art and History is pleased to announce that registration is now open for three new art workshops. The award-winning art instructor for these workshops, Christina Laurel, has a Bachelor Degree in Studio Art from the College at Brockport with additional studies at the University of Maryland and Cornell University. Laurel’s work is included in the museum’s September 7 – November 14 exhibition, “South Carolina Fiber Artists: Connecting Concept & Medium.”
September 14:
“COLLAGE” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Liz Smith-Cox Educational Studio. Class size is minimum 4 students, maximum 8
Robinson’s named among nation’s elite
EASLEY — Robinson’s Department Store recently received an Elite Retailer of the Year award from Jim’s Formal Wear. Jim’s is the largest formalwear distribution network in the U.S. with over 5,000 independent retailers. They provide tuxedo rental services for weddings, proms, and black tie events. The award is based on rental volume, order accuracy, and exceptional customer service.
Robinson’s Department Store has been selected as an Elite Retailer for six consecutive years. According to Steve Davis, President and CEO for Jim’s, “Our Elite Retailer of the Year recipients are among the best when it comes to men’s formalwear rental and sales. They are extremely focused on the customer for the most important events in their lives. We’re proud to have retailers like Robinson’s in our nationwide network. We would like to Congratulate Alfred and his staff for a job well done.”
NSUSD of 1812 marks grave of Andrew Pickens
Pictured are President of the Skyagunsta Society N.S.C.A.R. Spencer Whitehurst, Regent of the Andrew Pickens Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (N.S.D.A.R.) Mari Noorai, Registrar of the Andrew Pickens Chapter N.S.D.A.R. Marion Whitehurst, S.C. State Second Vice President N.S.U.S.D. of 1812 Doris Sandberg, S.C. Past State President N.S.U.S.D. of 1812 Henrietta Morton.
CLEMSON — The National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (N.S.U.S.D. of 1812) marked the grave of General Andrew Pickens for his service rendered during the War of 1812, including his involvement at the Battle of New Orleans. This marking followed a special worship service at Old Stone Church which was part of the Historical Families Reunion hosted by Clemson University’s Historic Properties.
Spencer Whitehurst, Society President for the local National Society Children of the American Revolution (N.S.C.A.R.) named for General Pickens, was present at the ceremony. Whitehurst is the son of Pickens County Councilman Trey Whitehurst.
August is Farmers Market Month in S.C.
SIX MILE — Local farmers market vendors are asking everyone to come celebrate Farmers Market Month in August by shopping at a farmers market in your community.
Six Mile Town Councilman James Atkinson stated that “we are very pleased with the results of our Six Mile Farmers Depot farmers market this year during its first season of operation. We invite everyone to attend our market Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. for a selection of goat milk products, fruits, vegetables and other locally grown products directly from the local producer to your table. Our market is located in the old fire station, so rain or shine our vendors are here.”
Arkansas hamster adventures
Olivia Fowler
On The Way
By Olivia Fowler
My great niece and nephew, Brooke Olivia and Andrew O’Neal, ages 7 and 6 respectively, live in Fayetteville, Ark., with their parents, Laura and Neal. I just returned from visiting them and have seldom been so entertained.
Andrew, who just celebrated his birthday, has acquired a hamster, who bears the name of Sam Sayonara Simmons. Sam is a source of neverending entertainment for both children and resides in an attractive cage in the bonus room. He spends little time there.
Now hamsters are tiny creatures and can fit into the palm of your hand. Their fur is soft and silky, and holding Sam is like holding a very active cottonball.
