Monthly Archives: December 2013
Second town hall with Pew altered
EASLEY — A town hall meeting and grand opening of the Gettys Middle School Auditorium has been rescheduled for Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
The event was previously scheduled for Jan. 9.
Officials have planned the event to unveil improvements made to the auditorium, which was first built in 1939.
The town hall meeting is the second of two meetings with the theme of “Ask
Mourners attend Dillard remembrance service
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
PICKENS — Rain Saturday dampened a candle lighting service planned at Dillard Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park, but about 50 people braved the weather for a service held in memory of loved ones lost in 2013.
Rain also forced the cancellation of a candle lighting service at Liberty Mortuary, but the event will not be rescheduled.
The crowd was comforted by a Christmas medley played on the piano by Tim Breazeale as they waited for the ceremony to start. Joe Nosko, widower of former Pickens County Red Cross Executive Director Roberta Nosko, was selected to light the remembrance candle to start the evening’s events.
Don’t forget to shop local this season
Allison Fowler
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.
Serving Pickens since 1984, Tony’s Restaurant offers traditional American and Italian fare. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and is perfect for a date, family night out, or a large group. Located at 704 W. Main Street, Tony’s is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Come to JD Sports for all your sporting needs! They carry a line of sports equipment,
Pickens merchants to host ‘3rd Friday’ event this week
PICKENS — It’s that time again to celebrate 3rd Fridays in historic Pickens on Friday, Dec. 20.
The vision of three local women, 3rd Fridays is an opportunity to attract residents and visitors alike to explore the downtown area of Pickens and all it has to offer.Every month on the third Friday of the month, downtown Pickens comes alive at the typical closing time. Shops and restaurants stay open late and offer special
County BEAC keeping area clean and beautiful
Pickens County Beautification Committee members plant native sunflowers by the education building at the Pickens County Recycling Center on Old Liberty Road.
COUNTY — The Pickens County Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee is dedicated to keeping Pickens County clean and beautiful.
The group of volunteers with financial assistance from a Palmetto Pride “Community Pride” grant has transformed the education building and surrounding areas at the Pickens County Recycling Center on 2053 Old Liberty Road into an eye-catching place.
Local artists have donated their time and talent to help raise awareness for a beautiful, litter-free environment in Pickens County by painting murals of wildflowers, mountains, cascading streams, and wildlife on the outside walls of the education building.
The committee members planted native plants, including a rain garden and sunflower garden, and installed rain barrels, park benches and birdhouses to beautify the area and provide wildlife habitat.
The recycling center also includes drop-off stations for reusable and recyclable items, a bailing center for recyclables, a biodiesel facility (where cooking oil is converted to biodiesel fuel for county vehicles), all which offer opportunities for people to do their part for the environment. Residents can see ways to help the environment and learn about recycling, composting, water conservation, stormwater run-off pollution, wildlife habitat, native plants, litter prevention, and beautification.
Stop by to see and enjoy the beautifully painted murals and environmentally- friendly landscaping at the Beautification and Environmental Education Center that promotes clean air, land and water in Pickens County.
County Meals on Wheels gets grant
COUNTY — On Dec. 10, BI-LO Holdings Foundation presented the proceeds from its 2013 BI-LO Charity Classic to charities representing the Upstate of South Carolina. The event, held at the Peace Center in Greenville, included a check presentation to Pickens County Meals on Wheels (PCMOW).
In its first year as a combined company, the BI-LO/Winn-Dixie Charity Classic broke its record for charitable contributions raised in a single-day event, raising more than $3.1 million for charity.
The BI-LO/Winn Dixie Foundation partners with non-profit organizations in the Southeast who are passionate about improving education, nourishing the hungry, and enhancing the lives of children. “We are honored to be among the non-profit
Story of Bethlehem set for McKinney Chapel
COUNTY — The long-ago story of a miracle in a stable in Bethlehem will be told again, at McKinney Chapel, in Pickens County’s Eastatoee Valley, on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m.
It’s a traditional gift to everyone who comes to the tiny old church, and everyone is invited.
For three decades, since the abandoned frame chapel was restored by its community, in the early 1980s, the old-time pageant, with Mary and Joseph and the Baby Jesus, the angels, shepherds and wise men, the harmonica player and country-bred singers with the classic Sunday School piano, has offered its time-honored message.
An uplifting preview of Christmas
Ben Robinson
All About Ben
By Ben Robinson
It’s been kind of an uplifting day.
Sometimes I get discouraged by the complications life presents. Then God apparently smacks it into my head, and I am excited again.
Today as I was working on an article, Georgia Chapman called and invited me to Saturday’s McKinney Chapel Christmas Pageant. She said it simply did not seem right doing the pageant without me.
Of course, I realize that my part in the pageant is to cover it for whatever publication I am working for at the time. It goes fine without me because of the wonderful people who present the
Good Samaritans are still among us
Olivia Fowler
On the Way
By Olivia Fowler
My beloved cousin Gwynne in Tennessee has the most loving and generous spirit of anyone I know. She is a sucker for any sob story, is active in animal rescue, volunteers in an organization to help troubled teens and is the first person in town to call if someone needs help.
For many years she taught first grade and kept at it so long she ended up teaching children of former students. She retired last year but is teaching part-time this year, sharing a class with another teacher. They split the week, and she loves it.
She’ll go to bat for a child when necessary
Courier Letters to the Editor
Applauding Sheriff Clark
Dear Editor,
An article regarding the actions of Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark and published as a letter to the editor appeared in the Dec. 11 issue of your newspaper. Please allow me to comment.
The writer should know that a presidential proclamation does not have the force of law in the United States. To have the force of law it would require an act of the U.S. Congress. The proclamation of President Obama regarding flying the U.S. flag at
