Daily Archives: 12/04/2013
Parade season getting started
COUNTY — The Christmas season will officially kick off for several local municipalities this Saturday as they hold their annual parades.
Easley will kick off the holiday season Saturday with a Christmas parade beginning at 10 a.m. The city will have its grand illumination at 7 p.m. on Friday night. For more information call Dunburks Premiere Events at (864) 423-4344.
In Liberty, the tree lighting will be 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Liberty Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call Liberty City Hall at (864) 843-3177.
The Six Mile Christmas Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (864)
Clark asks council to oppose seventh SDPC board district
COUNTY — When Weldon Clark arrived for Monday night’s meeting of Pickens County Council and signed up to speak, he was surprised to find that he was the only resident scheduled to take the podium. Usually two or more residents take the opportunity to address council members in a public forum.
But Clark was quick and to the point with his comments, asking the council members to oppose the proposed addition of a seventh district to the Pickens County school board. Clark said he feels the movement is being led by people who do not understand Pickens County politics.
Clark said that the move would be costly, leading to new district lines being drawn for the school district. The school district currently has six members and uses the same district lines as county council.
Liberty earns $500k grant
LIEBRTY — The city of Liberty was recently awarded a $500,000 enrichment grant to be used for infrastructure and streetscape improvements on Commerce Street.
In a letter addressed to former Mayor Michael Sheriff, Gov. Nikki Haley announced the grant.
Sheriff, an architect by trade, designed the plans and provided the written narrative for the grant application, showing the proposed Commerce Street needs and enhancements.
“Applying for grants is a long and tedious process, but the hours of work have certainly paid off,” Sheriff said. “What is even more exciting is that there was only $1.5 million budgeted statewide for this grant pool and Liberty received 1/3 of the available budgeted funds.
“I would personally like to thank Senator Larry Martin and Representative Davey Hiott for their interest and support of Liberty in the pursuit of this grant.”
In anticipation of the chance that the city would win the grant, officials already escrowed 10 percent ($50,000) for the required matching funds to make the grant award possible.
The South Carolina Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is designed to provide assistance to general local government in improving economic opportunities and meeting community
Cities hold swearing-in ceremonies
Pickens
Both Liberty and Pickens held swearing-in ceremonies during council meetings Monday night. At left, new Liberty mayor Eric Boughman recites the oath of office as his wife holds the Bible. Below, Pickens council members Carlton Holley, Patrick Lark and Donald McKinney are sworn in as their wives hold their Bibles and Pickens mayor David Owens administers the oath of office.
‘Every year is a great year’
Ben Robinson/Courier
Buddy Cox inspects some of the toys in Country Santa’s workshop, next to his Pumpkintown home.
Country Santa ready for 35th season delivering gifts
By Ben Robinson
Courier Staff
PUMPKINTOWN — On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Pumpkintown’s Buddy Cox takes time to blow the leaves from his quarter-mile driveway as his wife Nelle puts up a few holiday decorations. They are enjoying this time of relaxation before the busy Christmas season arrives and transforms their home into the headquarters for Country Santa.
A poor youth growing up in Cross Hill, Cox had his father walk out on the family when he was 10, leaving Buddy, his mother and two older sisters to struggle together. Although he grew up to become an engineer, Cox never forgot how his mother had struggled each Christmas to provide presents for Buddy
Stewart named ‘Miss Gem’
Russell Brinson – www.weddingsc.com/Photo
Pickens High School held it’s annual Miss Gem pageant recently with Brooke Stewart earning the title along with the title of Miss Photogenic. Other winners were Miss Senior – Ginny Dillard, Miss Junior – Lauren Harkins, Miss Sophomore – Meagan Stewart and Miss Freshman – Torrie Kennedy.
Holy Trinity Episcopal in Clemson to host Bazaar and Artisan Market
CLEMSON — For more years than anyone can remember, the women of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson have sponsored an annual bazaar on the first Saturday of December to raise funds for community charities.
Proceeds have been used to support groups like Clemson Community Care, Our Daily Bread of Seneca, The Salvation Army (Oconee and Pickens), and Helping Hands of Clemson.
Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the church fellowship hall located at 193 Old Greenville Highway across from the university in Clemson, the annual event will feature handcrafted
PRA asks ‘please shop local’
Allison Fowler
By Allison Fowler
PRA Director
In light of Small Business Month, Pickens Revitalization Association is committed to supporting our local businesses. Alongside the Gift of Pickens program, PRA has developed the Shop Local. Shop Historic Pickens. campaign to feature businesses here in Pickens and the products and services offered.
Brock’s Department Store is a true Pickens landmark, having been in business for more than 55 years. Located at 219 E. Main Street, Brock’s reflects the heritage of Pickens through the countless memorabilia on display to the high ceilings, wooden floors and welcoming atmosphere. Stop in today to see the great selection and have a chat with
Sabrina House gets check from Pickens Service Club
At its traditional Thanksgiving breakfast meeting, members of the Pickens Service Club presented a check to Billy House for Sabrina House Children’s Charity. Billy established Sabrina House several years ago, and the organization has assisted dozens of children and their families affected by cancer. The 25 members of the Pickens Service Club are pleased to help Sabrina House, as well as several other local charities.
Baptist Easley receives 2013 Press Ganey Beacon of Excellence Award
EASLEY — Baptist Easley is proud to announce it has been named a 2013 Beacon of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The Beacon of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing facilities that maintain high levels of excellence in Patient Satisfaction. Additionally, Baptist Easley received Press Ganey’s Guardian of Excellence Award for being at the 95th percentile or above for one year. Both these awards were for patient satisfaction in the Ambulatory Surgery area.
The Press Ganey Beacon of Excellence Award recognizes leading health care facilities that have achieved and consistently maintained excellence for multiple years. The award is given to only 45 organizations per year, representing the top three performing organizations by category. Press Ganey partners with
