AdvertiseHereH

Monthly Archives: September 2014

County council approves auditorium renovation

By Nikki Rutledge
For The Courier

news@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — Pickens County Council members approved a renovation contract for the Liberty auditorium at their meeting Monday night.

A total of five bids were heard for the project, the lowest coming in at $670,000 from Northlake Construction. The renovation is estimated to take 120 days to complete, barring any unforeseen delays, county finance director Ralph Guarino told council.

Council also heard from resident Junius Smith during public forum. Smith expressed his concern over city recreation departments in Pickens County charging more money for out-of-city children to play sports.

Celebrating heritage

Rocky Nimmons/Courier

 Local Civil War reenactors Delayne Masters, left, and Jim Bay pose with a Civil War-era cannon reproduction in front of the historic Bradley-Boggs House on Main Street in Pickens during the city’s Founder’s Day celebration on Saturday. Despite rainy weather, a large crowd showed up for the festivities and to celebrate Pickens’ history.

 

Guardian ad Litem to host benefit ride this Saturday

UPSTATE — A charity benefit ride for the Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem is scheduled for this Saturday. Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem has been providing financial assistance since 2002 to neglected and abused children of Pickens County.

The charity benefit ride begins with registration from 11 a.m.-noon in the parking lot of Royal Spirits at 7104 Calhoun Memorial Highway in Easley. Vehicles of all type are welcome at the event.

The scenic route features stops at the Lighthouse Lake Keowee in Seneca, Last Chance in Walhalla and Sardi’s Den

Farewell skate

Farewell skate

Farewell skate

Farewell skate

Farewell skate

Dozens of people showed up for their last skate at Skate-A-Round USA in Easley on Sunday. The business, which has been family-owned since 1980, will be closing its doors on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Photos by Kerry Gilstrap

 

Tucker named Baptist Easley Physician of the Quarter

EASLEY — Baptist Easley Hospital recently named Michelle Tucker, MD, as the Cam Underhill Practicing Excellence Physician of the Quarter award winner.

Michelle Tucker, MD

Michelle Tucker, MD

The award is based on the Baptist Easley Medical Staff Standards of Behavior: Integrity, Compassion and Competence.

Tucker is associated with MountainView OB-GYN. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“I want to thank you for your kindness and for taking so much time with me on my first visit to you,” one of Tucker’s nominations read. “You were recommended to me in December 2012 when I was struggling with an ectopic pregnancy. After it was all over, I dreaded ever going back to a doctor because it just brought it all up again. I remembered your name and finally scheduled my appointment for my checkup. You were so patient with my questions and tender with my desire for a child but also understanding of my hesitancy to take more action.

“I know that the Lord answered prayer by sending me to your office, and I wanted to thank you for being a compassionate doctor who seemed more like a dear

Event scheduled to honor Six Mile’s Bill, Ruby Holder

SIX MILE — According to family members and friends, Bill Holder was a Six Mile ambassador.

Wherever he traveled, he proudly spoke of living in Six Mile and always held the town and its residents in the highest of regards, his granddaughter, Rigel LeNart, said in a recent letter to Six Mile Town Council.

To Holder, Six Mile was “the Big Apple,” LeNart wrote.

“Six Mile events were his ‘jet-set,’ and therefore, Six Mile and its residents were his people — his family,” she wrote. “Bill Holder WAS Six Mile and everything that encompassed Six Mile.”

With that in mind, family members have planned a memorial event to celebrate Holder — who died on June 6, just

We listen, but we do not hear

Sometimes it’s hard to listen attentively, especially when people leave the most important information until the end of their speech. I am an undisciplined listener. I listen but I don’t hear. All it takes is one word that may catch my 6-25 Page 4A.inddattention and snatch my thought process completely away from the topic. This is how I miss the crucial part of directions, schedules and appointments. Unless the speaker is riveting in his presentation and commands my attention somehow, my thoughts flit around from one thing to another, not necessarily in any logical order.

It’s not that I’m consciously inattentive. It’s just that the things I pay attention to may not be what the speaker is saying. He may have wonderful information. But if he speaks in a monotone or has an unpleasant delivery, I may be focused on the collar of his shirt, trying to decide if it’s permanent press that was left in the dryer too

My take on parenting

I’m not even certain where to begin my column this week. Current events have provided enough fodder for me to write one column per day and still not cover all the thoughts that I’ve been mulling around in my mind since last I wrote, but I suppose like diving into a freezing cold pool, this is one of those times when I simply jump in feet first.

8-20 Page 4A.inddDuring my day job, I work for a program through Behavioral Health Services called Empowering Families. Tied closely to the Department of Social Services, I do home visitation with families who have been reported to DSS for alleged abuse or neglect of their child or children. I go to the homes of my families and assess for safety and risk factors that might lead to abuse or neglect. My goal is to look at the strengths the family has and build upon those, connecting them with the resources and support they need so that they can be completely independent and self-sustaining.

Above all this, my job is to ensure that the children in these families are cared for in the ways children should be — that their basic needs are met and that they are loved and treated

Courier Letters to the Editor 9-17-14

Gillespie looks back at board tenure

Dear Editor,

I decided not to run for reelection for the school board because I can no longer devote the time necessary to being a school board trustee. I want to thank the public for their encouragement the last four years. I recently read my campaign flyer from four years ago and I am happy with what we accomplished.

From 2006 through 2008, superintendent Lee D’Andrea hired administrators from all around the state and paid them excessive starting salaries. This was taking money out of the classroom, and I pledged if I was elected to help “reduce excessive administrative salaries and redirect the savings to the classroom.” By promoting from within

Pickens Chamber set to host Golf

PICKENS — The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce will host its 23rd Annual Golf Tournament on Oct. 2 at the Pickens County Country Club.

Sponsorship opportunities are available from $100 to $750 or $300 per team.

Dixon Golf will set up the Dixon Golf Challenge for using the Dixon Golf Earth golf ball. Come join the fun with your fellow chamber members.