CLEMSON — Clemson police released two photos Thursday afternoon of a black female being sought in connection with an armed robbery last week at Advance America on U.S. Highway 123.

Courtesy photos
The photo above shows a woman suspected of robbing the Advance America store in Clemson at gunpoint last week. Police ask anyone with information on the woman’s identity to call (864) 624-2000.

One photo shows the suspect entering the business prior to committing the robbery wearing facial makeup to appear like a man. The other photo was taken during the robbery, officials said.

[cointent_lockedcontent]Chief Jimmy Dixon said on the day of the robbery last Tuesday the female was wearing a black North Face coat with a red hat and white Air Jordan shoes upon entering the store at approximately 10:15 a.m. He said the woman, described at between 5 feet and 5 feet 2 inches tall, with a heavy build, presented what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol to the clerk before going behind the counter and leaving with an undetermined amount of cash. The chief said it is not known whether the suspect left the scene on foot or in a vehicle.

No one was injured during the incident, and no shots were fired.

Clemson police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to call (864) 624-2000. Callers may remain anonymous.

— Greg Oliver of The Journal contributed to this article.

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CLEMSON — A man suspected of committing armed robbery at stores in Clemson and Easley last month has been arrested.

Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon said Thursday that his jurisdiction charged 20-year-old Taz Fredrocko Long was charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime.

[cointent_lockedcontent]At 4:30 a.m. Nov. 18, police were called to the 7-Eleven store on Old Greenville Highway in Clemson by a clerk who said she had just been robbed. The clerk said a lone black male entered the store wearing a dark-colored North Face coat with a hood and a black or dark-colored full face hood covering the face. Only the eyes were visible to the clerk.

Dixon said the suspect presented a handgun to the clerk, demanding she lock the front doors to the store and place a sign in the window reading “will return in 15 minutes.” Once the door was locked, the suspect demanded the clerk empty the money from the cash registers inside the store. The suspect then left the store on foot, although Dixon said police had reason to believe he went to a vehicle parked in another location.

Dixon said the suspect had used the same method of operation at a store in Easley and was charged by Easley police last week with armed robbery. Dixon said further investigation revealed the suspect to be the same person who committed the robbery at the Clemson store.

Easley police charged Long with armed robbery, possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime and possession of stolen goods.

Long was being held Tuesday at the Pickens County Detention Center on combined $57,000 surety bonds.

— Greg Oliver of The Journal contributed to this article.

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CLEMSON — Clemson University alumnus Mike McBride and his wife, Lynn, of Simpsonville have given $1 million to expand and improve the Children’s Garden of the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG) at Clemson University.  Mike is a 1981 graduate.

“We have been searching for the right choice for a contribution, and the Botanical Garden is the right choice for us,” he said. “We are making this gift because of my love for Clemson and the education and experiences I had while here as a student. Also because Lynn spent a lot of time in the Botanical Garden as a child when she lived in Clemson. Her parents, Joe (Class of 1962) and Sue Wallace, took her to visit the duck pond and garden as a child. Where much is given, much is expected. The Children’s Garden will be an amazing place for children and their families for generations.”

The gift ensures that families will benefit from the unique beauty of the the Botanical Garden for generations to come, Clemson president Jim Clements said.

“I am extremely grateful to Mike and Lynn McBride for their generous support of the South Carolina Botanical Garden,” said Clements. “The Botanical Garden is an important resource for South Carolina, and their gift to expand the Children’s Garden will make a difference for so many children and families.”

The purposes of the gift are to complete the engineering for the canopy walk in the children’s garden, to construct and name a duck dock at the duck pond, and to advance the mission of the Botanical Garden.

“This incredibly generous gift is the largest single gift we have received in our history here,” said Garden Director Patrick McMillan. “This gift will allow us to provide a space to inspire and connect the next generation of South Carolina citizens to our natural heritage through the construction of the Children’s Garden. One of the greatest challenges we face today as a society is the loss of our connection to the world; it impacts our health, our productivity and our ingenuity.

“The younger generations are unique in being the first in our history to have a life expectancy that is less than ours. Change only comes with dedicated efforts and through the creation of a safe, fun and engaging place for children to be children, outside. Lynn came to the duck pond at the SCBG frequently as a young child and built connections in this magical space that transformed her life and will continue to transform lives far into the future.”

The McBrides both enjoyed successful careers in health care — Lynn in patient services and Mike as the president and chief executive officer of HMR Advantage Health Systems Inc. and chairman of the board for HMR Veterans Services Inc.

The McBrides challenge others to join their family and raise an additional $1 million to turn the Botanical Garden into a showcase in the Upstate. The goal is to meet that challenge by May 30, 2016.

The McBrides live in Simpsonville with their daughter, McCain, 11, a huge Clemson Tigers fan. They have two older children: Michael H. McBride II (Class of 2010) and Erin McBride Fredericks.

This gift is part of Clemson University’s $1 billion The Will to Lead capital campaign to support faculty and students with scholarships, professorships, facilities and technology.

PICKENS — Santa Claus is coming to town — and he’s bringing a little fun and music along with him.

The Hagood Mill will host its annual Ed Harrison Memorial Celtic Christmas show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 19, featuring music, crafts, food and a visit from jolly old St. Nick himself. There is a $5 parking fee, but admission is free. All proceeds from parking will go to help the Hagood Mill. Music will start at noon.

Several years ago, Hagood Mill approached well-known local Uilleann pipe player Ed Harrison to host a Celtic Christmas show in December. Visitors loved it, and it has become an annual event and featured many fine regional musicians sharing songs of the season, mill officials said.

Harrison was a versatile musician with a passion for playing multiple styles of roots music on a wide variety of instruments. He was an accomplished dobro player and clawhammer banjo player, as well as playing cajun accordion and the Uilleann pipes. His warmth, good humor and ready laugh were a comfort to his family and many friends in the area. Sadly, after more than 20 years of battling cancer, Harrison passed away in 2012. The annual event has been named in his honor.

Along with the event’s co-hosts, Lucy Allen and Marshall Goers, this year’s event will feature local musical groups The Wolf Moon String Band and Lissakeole.

The Wolf Moon String Band is composed of a group of old friends who have played music together in various bands and settings going back 15 years. Allen and Goers have been regulars at the Celtic Christmas show since 2008. Allen and Goers are an acoustic duo whose passion for roots music combines elements of various musical genres. Returning this year is local Irish group Lissakeole, which plays and sings many popular Irish tunes and songs, but the members put their own stamp upon them.

Kids and adults alike are welcome to sit on Santa’s lap and share a Christmas wish. Bring a camera and St. Nick will pose for a picture with you from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Those elected to the Pickens City Council and Mayor David Owens all took their oaths of office during the final meeting of the year on Monday. Owens also took a moment to present outgoing Councilman Isaiah Scipio with a memento of appreciation for his four years of service to the city. Above, Owens swears in incumbent council members Fletcher Perry and Patti Welborn, as well as new councilwoman Lois Porter. Below right, city attorney Ken Acker gives the oath of office to Owens, and at left, Scipio is presented his gift of appreciation.

Southern Appalachian Outdoors held its formal grand opening Saturday with food, fun and some good-old down-home bluegrass music. Southern Appalachian Outdoors, located at 506 W. Main St. in Pickens, offers families and individuals the equipment and information to create their own outdoor adventure. Pictured are members of the bluegrass band Carmel Ridge, along with staff member Pam Smith and store owner Marty Fields. Southern Appalachian Outdoors is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The store is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays. For more information, call (864) 507-2195.

[cointent_lockedcontent]/[cointent_lockedcontent]LIBERTY — The Friends of the Sarlin Community Library in Liberty recently hosted a talk presented by Emily Wright.

The Friends of the Sarlin Library executive board and teen board recently hosted a special event featuring Pickens County Courier graphic artist Emily Wright. Pictured are Lynn Baker, Richey Baker, Katie Dorr, Wright, Cassie Dorr, Tracy Morgan, Lisa Carpenter, Kasey Swords, Jean Thomas, Kathlyn Albertson, Mel Avery and Carole Andrews.

Wright is an award-winning graphic artist and the head of the graphics department of the Pickens County Courier. She was recently presented with 17 awards in the South Carolina Press Association’s annual advertising contest. Wright has been the recipient of 75 awards since 2007.

Wright gave a presentation of some of her work, both professional and private. She shared with the group the steps she takes in planning and implementing her ideas. She also talked about how she got into this particular art form. Her love of her art and her determination to make it a part of her professional career was inspiring. She found Greeneville Tech was the perfect school to help her learn her trade, enjoy using her art and be able to find work in her field. She was able to start work immediately after graduation. She continues to study in this fast-paced and ever-changing work.

Wright started her own company, The Wright Way Design. She has clients in the U.S. and abroad. Her work can be seen in the UK and Australia.

“Her program was well thought out and wonderfully presented,” Friends president Lisa Carpenter said. “We are all looking forward to watching Wright grow in her chosen field.”

“It was a delight to present her to the community,” vice president Tracy Morgan added. “We are excited about working with Emily. We hope to have her help in designing a logo for our Friends group. The Friends of the Library are excited to have a good turnout for this community event and look forward to having other speakers.”