Monthly Archives: March 2014
Azalea Fest to feature cooking competition
PICKENS — The 30th annual Pickens Azalea Festival, is set for April 18 and 19, in downtown Pickens. Booth spaces are still open for arts/crafters, civic non-profit organizations and businesses. Included in the Saturday afternoon festivities will be the first-ever Azalea Festival Baking Competition, hosted by Pickens’ Francine Bryson. For more details on the baking competition and festival applications, visit pickensazaleafestival.org
SDPC celebrates 2014 JetToy Challenge winners
COUNTY — A team of students from Forest Acres Elementary School took top honors in the 2014 School District of Pickens County JetToy Challenge.
The first-place winners are Forest Acres’ “Enthusiastic Emus” (Hayden Hughes, Ben Freeman, Alexis Craig, and Sydney Thompson). The second place-winners are Crosswell Elementary School’s “Wan Squad” (Dalton Blackburn, Jase Greer, Nyheem Muhammad). The third-place winners, also from Forest Acres, are the “Hawks” (Kelly Carver, Chaps Nations, and Charlie Pitts). Artistic design winners are Ambler Elementary School’s “Pumpkintown Pioneers” (Will Kelly, Abby McHenry, and James Martinez) and West End Elementary School’s “Patriots” (Raleigh Adams, Elana McMahan, Jayda Liner, Harper Wilson).
MCPC social outreach grant set to benefit Helping Hands
COUNTY — The newly formed Manufacturers Caring for Pickens County (MCPC) Forum has announced the third in a series of social outreach grants to local charities and community service organizations.
The $1,000 grant has been awarded to Helping Hands of Clemson. The organization has demonstrated outstanding community efforts to benefit the residents of Pickens County.
“We have worked with Helping Hands for years, and the work they do for children is life-changing,” said Cornell Dubilier president Jim Kaplan, a MCPC board member.
According to its website, MCPC’s goal is “to reach out to our Pickens County community, to
Courier Letters to the Editor
School board leaving debt-filled legacy
Dear Editor,
I have read that pomposity called the AdvancED report. It did make one truthful statement that warrants mentioning: “Members of the governing board reported themselves that not all of them share the vision of the district administration” (item 2, page 38).
Thankfully, Alex Saitta, Jimmy Gillespie and Ben Trotter actually have a vision of both scholastic and financial responsibility, and that is certainly contrary to the vision of the district administration. Otherwise we would have been broke before now.
The building program started at $150 million and now it is nearly $400 million, thanks to the
The times, they are a-changing
Olivia Fowler
On the Way
By Olivia Fowler
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, there’s a 50 percent probability that the last frost date for our area is March 31.
This means it’s highly likely that any bedding plants put out before that date will get zapped, except for pansies.
Even though we know this with our brains, our hearts tend to ignore this information. That’s why so many of us can be seen strolling optimistically through garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries, prematurely investing our hopes and dreams into a flat of bedding plants that may
Wendy’s in Pickens celebrates Red Cross Month with Frosty Fridays
PICKENS — Wendy’s in Pickens is celebrating Red Cross Month by donating 50 cents from the sale of any Frosty product sold on Fridays during the month of March.
“We appreciate the folks at Wendy’s in Pickens acknowledging our Red Cross volunteers during Red Cross Month,” said Sarah Dow, chief regional development officer with the Red Cross of the Western Carolinas. “They are everyday heroes who come to the aid of neighbors in need. Wendy’s financial support of our local disaster services is a great example of a business giving back to the community.”
During the last year alone, the American Red Cross assisted more than 725 families in the
Baseball registration now being accepted at the Pickens YMCA
COUNTY — Baseball registration has now opened at the Pickens YMCA and will end April 17.
Late registration will be April 18-24. All practices and games are held at the Pickens YMCA, located at 2223 Gentry Memorial Hwy.
Coed divisions offered are Tee-ball (4-6 yrs old) and Coaches Pitch (7-9 yrs old). Jersey, cap and trophy are provided as part of the registration fee and kept by the players. Costs are $45 for
Baseball/softball signups end Friday at Pickens Recreation
PICKENS — Baseball and softball registrations are being extended through this Friday, March 7, at the Pickens Recreation Center on Sangamo Road in Pickens.
The following age divisions are offered: Instructional — 4 year olds, Tee-Ball/Coaches Pitch (coed) — 5-6 years old, Pitching machine (coed) — 7-8 year olds, Boys Baseball — Minors — 9-10 year olds; Youth — 11-12 years olds; Boys — 13-14 years old; Majors — 15-18 year olds. Girls Softball — Darlings — 7-8 year olds; Angels — 9-10 year olds; Ponytails — 11-12 year olds; Bells — 13-15 year olds.
Following registration, a skills/evaluation day will be held for each age division. The registration
Easley teen competes in Pro All Star Series race at GPS
KYLE BENJAMIN
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Easley’s Kyle Benjamin finished 13th in the Pro All star Series’ Super Late Models race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway on Saturday night.
EASLEY — Saturday morning, Kyle Benjamin woke up at home.
For most 16-year-olds that’s normal. But in Benjamin’s case, Saturdays are hardly ever normal, as Saturday is race day.
Benjamin races all over the country in the Pro All Star Series’ Super Late Models, but with Saturday’s race being just five minutes down the road from his Easley home, he was able to enjoy more time at home.
The Pro All Star Series was in town at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway, bringing with it a host of quality drivers. Although Benjamin’s finish was not how he would have like it to be, he ran a
Courier Obituaries 3-5-14
Dorothy M. Davis
Marietta — Mrs. Dorothy Marie McCain Davis, 90, wife of the late Ellis Howard Davis, Sr., died Monday, Feb., 24, 2014 at her home.
Born in Ohio, a daughter of the late Harvey and Clara Chichester McCain, Mrs. Davis was a homemaker and a member of Friendship Baptist Church, Marietta.
Surviving are eight sons, John Morgan (Ruby), Harvey Morgan (Sandy), Ellis H. Davis, Jr., Joe Davis (Sweetie), Charles Davis (Elizabeth), Michael Davis (Rita), Bruce Davis, and Richard Davis; one daughter, Judy Finley (Greg); 28 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and seven
