By Ben Robinson

Staff Reporter

brobinson@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — At an award banquet held Aug. 28, the James Howe/Luke Cisson Detachment 1145 Marine Corps League honored its top members of the past year.

The league is named in honor of local Medal of Honor recipient James Howe and Luke Cisson, a young boy who wanted nothing more than to be a Marine like his grandfather, but was killed in an accident before he got the chance.

The league is very active in Pickens County-area community affairs and charitable events, including flag replacement ceremonies, flag retirement ceremonies, parades, fundraising and recruiting outings, military funerals for veterans, Pickens County Honor Flight, Marine Rose Program, building fund, Wounded Warrior program, Toys for Tots, Seniors Unlimited and the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. In addition, special activities occasionally arise.

This year’s award winners were:

Certificates of Appreciation: Jean Westbrook and Terry Ledbetter.

Distinguished Servant: Chuck Simpson.

Marine of The Year: Craig Bayliff.

Chapel of the Four Chaplains Humanitarian Award: Sammy Little.

Commandant Harry DeWick was presented a Chapel of the Four Chaplains Award that he actually earned two years ago but was lost in government paperwork. Little searched the files and located the award for DeWick.

EASLEY — Christopher P. Robinson recently earned his Certified Crematory Operator designation from the National Funeral Directors Association.

ROBINSON

The course was held in April in Denver, and Robinson later successfully completed the written examination. The NFDA Certified Crematory Operator program is a voluntary certification program that helps funeral directors better serve the needs of families that desire cremation.

Nationally, in 2012, 43.2 percent of people who died in the United States were cremated, up from 34.2 percent in 2007. As cremation becomes an alternative means of disposition, this certification ensures that funeral home and crematory staff are properly trained to meet the needs of families that choose cremation.

NFDA’s Certified Crematory Operator Program provides participants with instruction in best practices for safe, proper and ethical crematory operations and for excellence in service to families that choose cremation. Seminars cover the topics required by state law and are designed to develop understanding skills and a broad working knowledge of proper operational procedures as well as required and prudent administrative procedures.

“With two separate crematories at our locations in Easley, it is of utmost importance that we are trained to make sure that we take care of somebody’s loved one in the most respectful and dignified manner possible,” said Robinson, a fourth-generation funeral director. “As an owner, it is my top priority that our crematories and our respective associates follow the strictest and most professional standards and guidelines from the time a loved one is taken into our care until the cremation is complete.

“This course helped me tremendously in all aspects of cremation including that we properly follow all safety and environmental standards.”

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 19,700 individual members who represent more than 10,000 funeral homes in the United States and 39 countries around the world. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visitnfda.org.

As a family-owned business started in 1875, Robinson Funeral Home has two locations and two crematories in the Easley area. The downtown Easley location is located at 305 West Main St. The Powdersville Road Funeral Home and Crematory is located at 1425 Powdersville Road in Easley, adjacent to Robinson Memorial Gardens. Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is located in the Central-Clemson Commons off S.C. Highway 93 in Central.

CENTRAL — An eight-week grief support group for adults will meet at 7 p.m. Mondays starting Sept. 14 at the Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, located at 108 Cross Creek Road in Central.

Issues to be discussed include understanding your grief, exploring your feelings of loss, how to nurture yourself, how to reach out for help and dealing with your new life. The group leader will be Dr. Roger Lovette, who served as pastor of First Baptist Clemson for 13 years and has written five books. The group will meet for eight Monday nights.

There is no charge. If interested call the funeral home: at (864) 639-2411 or email linda@robinsonfuneralhomes.com.

EASLEY — Robinson Funeral Home and The Blood Connection are teaming up for a memorial blood drive on the 14th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

The blood drive will be held at the funeral home, located at 305 W. Main St. in Easley, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.

“We are hoping for a wonderful turnout of donors in memory of the heroes that died on the 9/11 responding to the tragic terror attack,” Robinson Funeral Home director of operations Paul J. Kraemer said.

First responders from agencies such as the Easley Fire Department, Easley Police Department and Pickens County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand at times throughout the day donating blood, showing support and answering the public’s questions.

All donors will receive a special memorial T-shirt, a light lunch provided by the funeral home and Blood Connection reward points.

To sign up for the drive, call (864) 859-4001.

MARIETTA — Jones Hill Church of God in Marietta will host a silent auction on Saturday, Oct. 3. A hot dog sale and bake sale, along with auction ticket sales, will begin at 11 a.m.

The silent auction begins at 1 p.m. Jones Hill Church of God is located in the Dacusville community at 1014 Dalton Road in Marietta. For more information, call (864) 836-3020.

EASLEY — The Missions Market at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church will open from 7-11 a.m on Sept. 12.

Everyone is welcome to sell or buy at the fundraiser, with tables available for $8 and refreshments also available.

All proceeds from table rentals and refreshments will support a different mission each month.

The sale will be cancelled in case of rain. Mt. Tabor Baptist Church is located at 4174 Dacusville Highway in Easley.

PICKENS — Cannon Memorial Hospital will offer flu shots at the Cannon Outpatient entrance on Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m.

Flu shots are also being given at Wellness Wednesdays at the Cannon Annex each week in September from 7-10 a.m.

Hours will be extended in October on Wednesdays from 7 a.m.-noon.

Call (864) 898-1131 to find out more information or to schedule a flu clinic at your church or business.

PICKENS — The Cannon Auxiliary will host the “The Scrub Connection” at Cannon Memorial Hospital on Sept. 17 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Scrubs from various makers will be available for sale to the public.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cannon Auxiliary volunteer projects.

The sale site will be located down the hall from the entrance to Cannon Family practice at Cannon hospital. For more information, call (864) 898-1252.

EASLEY — St. Michael’s Episcopal Church’s annual multi-family yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, will offer great deals and benefit community outreach.

Bargains on everything from books and clothes to toys and household goods will be available from multiple sellers. In addition, fresh breakfast and lunch plates will be available for purchase.

Community members can participate in the sale and reserve a selling space for $10. Sellers can also rent round clothing racks and tables for $5 each. Rental fee proceeds benefit the church’s outreach programs, and sellers keep the profits.

St. Michael’s supports nonprofits in Pickens County, South Carolina and worldwide.

For more information or to sign up for a selling space or donate items, call the church office at (864) 859-6296 or Shannon Keyes at (864) 640-9450.

A rain date for the sale is set for Oct. 3. St. Michael’s is located at 1200 Powdersville Road in Easley. For more information, about the church, visit stmec.org or call (864) 859-6296.

CLEMSON — The September Steppin’ It Up Coalition meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Clemson Police Department at 1198 Tiger Blvd. in Clemson.

Meetings are open to anyone interested in educating youth on the dangers and health implications of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure and use.