Monthly Archives: March 2016
New Twelve Mile River recreation area planned
COUNTY — Pickens County Council announced plans last week to develop a recreational area on the Twelve Mile River near Cateechee.
According to a news release, council has been working with Hulsey McCormick and Wallace Inc. (HMW) to design and secure funding for the project.
The Twelve Mile River is a tributary of the Seneca River within the Savannah River Basin in South Carolina.
The project will provide a river put-in for whitewater kayaking through the Twelve Mile River Gorge with a take-out five miles downstream. Visitors will be able to enjoy fishing along the river and lake, as well as picnic facilities. Hiking trails will allow visitors to appreciate the scenic beauty along the river and lake.
The project will consist of two parks: the Norris Highway Recreational Area, which will serve as the whitewater “put-in,” and the Madden Bridge Road Recreational Area, which will serve as the whitewater boating “take-out” and lake access for sport fishing and flat-water paddling.
Parks will be constructed with ADA-compliant facilities and access for the disabled.
“I am excited for the people of Cateechee, who were affected by the PCBs,” county councilman Trey Whitehurst said. “It is good that clean-up funds from the Lake Hartwell Natural Resources Damages Settlement will bring this project to the Cateechee area.”
The economic benefits of the project will be seen in the creation of a projected 80 jobs in the areas of natural resource guides, recreational outfitters, shuttle services and increased demand for retail sales employment in convenience stores, groceries and outdoor recreation stores. It is forecasted that more than 96,000 people, paddlers and recreational fishermen will visit the parks on an annual basis.
The Twelve Mile River Recreational Area project cost for survey, engineering design, bidding and construction of both parks is $1.89 million. The Lake Hartwell Natural Resource Trustee Council has committed $1.49 million out of the Lake Hartwell Natural Resource Damages Settlement. An additional $403,060 is requested from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The public is invited to hear an overview about the project presented by Wes Hulsey of Hulsey McCormick and Wallace Inc. as part of next Monday’s county council meeting, which will begin at 6:30 pm in the auditorium of the administration building at 222 McDaniel Ave. in Pickens.
Music goes round and round
Music speaks to the heart. Sometimes I’ll hear a song on the radio that brings back a time from the past I’d forgotten all about. Thinking back on childhood, I realize what a big part of our lives music was. Grandmama loved music and was a really good pianist. She’d played the ukulele as a girl, and I think music played a big part in my Granddaddy’s courtship of her.
He was engaged to someone else when they met and had even completed a house and furnished it for his then-fiancee. But he met Grandmama, and that was the end of his engagement to “the other woman.”
He played the guitar until he lost his left hand in a hunting accident. Mama said he still played after the accident, because Grandmama chorded the neck for him.
She had a lot of sheet music. I can remember her playing “The Turkey Trot.” I still have the music. They loved to dance.
Mama sang. She sang in the car, the kitchen and the bedroom. She taught us all kinds of songs across a broad spectrum. She bought sheet music, too, and also played the piano. “Down in the Valley” and “You are my Sunshine.” She’d sing while she played the piano. We’d dance, too.
In the kitchen at night after supper, she’d have the radio on and would dance with a dish towel in her hand.
I remember “The Abba Dabba Honeymoon,” “The Little Brown Jug,” “Frankie and Johnny,” and there was always “Froggie Went A-Courtin’.”
Life just bubbled out of her.
Car trips were never dull. Even though the radio in the car was mostly static, we didn’t feel the lack because we had Mama driving.
We played word games and would sing “The Green Grass Growing All Around” song.
I remember standing in the backseat (this was before seatbelts), resting my head on the back of her seat and hearing her say, “Don’t smack that gum in my ear.”
If we were on a long trip, like driving to Norfolk to visit our other grandmother, we’d fall asleep in the backseat listening to the tires on the asphalt.
She’d be humming in the front, and it seemed as though she was harmonizing with the sound of the tires.
If it was summer, the car windows would be rolled down and the occasional moth would come in through the open window.
The next morning, the grill would be covered with dead insects and there’d be lots of bodies on the windshield where they’d “splatted.”
In the summer, after supper, we’d go out on the front porch and watch night come. We’d sit on the porch swing, and Mama and Grandmama Would sip iced tea in their rocking chairs and talk in low voices. Sometimes Mama would sing, and it was beautiful watching the light fade in the sky with Mama’s voice in the background.
When Matt and I would take the boat down the river, we’d sing as we paddled.
One of our favorites was “Onward Christian Soldiers,” because the time was just right with the paddle motion.
They gave us the gift of music, and I’m grateful for it, as it’s been an abiding joy to both of us throughout our lives. And because we love it, our children do. And so it will go on long after we are gone. This is a fact I derive a great deal of pleasure from.
Courier Letters to the Editor
Clearly a government breakdown
Dear Editor,
The school district building program had three financial requirements:
First, finance the $387 million program. That was done by passing the Greenville Plan in 2006 and approving a 39-mill property tax increase. Today, the annual bond payment is $24.5 million.
Second, the district had to cover the increased costs to operate the extra space and acreage. Those rising operational costs were covered with natural revenue growth from 2010 to 2014. When you look at the cost of operations, utilities, insurance and day-to-day repairs, it’s $12.8 million a year.
Finally, we have to cover capital maintenance items like replacing roofs, HVACs, repaving parking lots and computer refreshes. This year $4.6 million was spent on capital maintenance.
In sum, the district is spending $42 million on buildings this year.
Let’s focus on the capital maintenance budget for next year, which is the bone of contention. Refinancing the district’s construction loan is generating a stream of savings used to help fund that budget. This year that was $3.25 million. That figure is rising by $250,000 a year, so it will be $3.5 million in 2016-17.
As mentioned, $4.6 million is being spent on capital maintenance. A 10 percent increase would be $5 million.
For 2016-17, $5 million minus $3.5 million yields a $1.5 million deficit. This is manageable if the board takes the following steps.
I was the central figure in discovering Clemson was violating the TIF law and brought the case to our attorney and district administration. I hoped the money would go toward something that would make a notable difference. The annual in-flow of TIF money is $600,000. It should be earmarked for building maintenance. That gets us to $4.1 million revenue, so the capital budget would be $900,000 short.
Instead of having meetings to close schools or discuss another tax increase — both the public opposes, the board should:
1) Examine its $193 million in annual spending, rank expenses from necessary or most important to least important and reallocate let’s say $600,000 from the bottom to building maintenance. The last time the board combed through the budget like that was five years ago.
2) Allocate a couple hundred thousand of new revenue to building maintenance — revenue is likely to grow more than $4 million next year.
3) Sell surplus properties, and there are five or six. When one is sold, it can be used to help plug a small hole in the maintenance budget.
4) Consider spending some savings; the savings account has about $3 million.
That would balance the 2016-17 budget. In 2017-18 the refinancing savings should grow another $250,000. Ditto in 2018-19, and then the TIF revenue doubles to $1.3 million.
There isn’t a lack of money or inability to manage this — revenue growth is the highest in 10 years, and $1.5 million could be reallocated to building maintenance. Rather, the issue is the board and administration would rather spend the money on something else besides keeping those small schools open. Be it a $20,000 LED sign at the district office, extra pay raises, airplane tickets to some education conference or building another administration building.
With the opposition to closing schools so loud and unanimous, clearly there is a government breakdown here, between the will of the people and the actions of its elected body.
Alex Saitta
School board trustee
Pickens
Keep the schools open
Dear Editor,
One of the primary ways the state funds local school districts is through the Education Funding Act, which is supposed to follow a funding formula. When this act was passed in 1977, its base student cost (BSC) was set at $1,000 per weighted pupil unit. This BSC is to increase each year with inflation to help districts keep their programs current as prices and salaries increase.
According to the law, the BSC should be about $2,800. The state only funded it at $2,200 this year.
The House Ways and Means Committee announced it is giving public K-12 education an extra $375 million next year. One of the reasons is a generous boost in the BSC. Overall state revenue to school districts is rising at its highest rate since before the recession.
In Pickens County, the sum of the county government and county school taxes is 234.7 mills. Ten years ago it was 201.4. The increase is totally attributed to the school district. There has been a significant growth in the number of properties, and the tax rate has been raised, too.
Given all this, why doesn’t the school board of Pickens County have enough funding to keep all its renovated schools open? Some are saying the district is in a financial crisis. If there is a crisis, there shouldn’t be. There is enough funding. The school district must better manage their revenue coming in, and instead of 10 No. 1 priorities, there should be one. Keep the schools open.
Weldon Clark
Liberty
Gift quilt for service
As a way to say thanks and to commemorate their service to the country, Susie Flowers had an idea for a very special gift. The talented quilter wanted to make a special quilt for three men who she knew had served on the USS Saratoga. The men all served at different times on the vessel. Pictured are Wade Simmons, who served on the ship in 1967-1971, James C. Pace, who enlisted in 1943 and retired in 1973, serving in both the Pacific and the Atlantic, and Bob Flowers, who served aboard the USS Saratoga from 1975 until 1978. The quilt, which features a picture of the ship in the center, will become an eternal keepsake. The gift was especially special for Pace, who is celebrating his 90th birthday this week.
Bull riding set Saturday in Pickens
PICKENS — Rodeo fans around the area are in for a treat with bull riding planned for Saturday night, as Ernie Treadway will host an event at his indoor facility located at 422 Ann St. in Pickens.
The rodeo action will feature all the favorites, including calf riding, mutton busting, barrel racing and of course bull riding.
The event comes the Pickens every Saturday night and features excitement and an opportunity for wholesome family fun.
Tickets are available at the door the night of the event.
Pickens High to host concert
PCKENS — The Pickens High School Athletic Department will present the second annual Pickin’ in Pickens fundraiser concert to help support Blue Flame athletics this week.
Due to popular demand, renowned bluegrass band Balsam Range will return on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in the PHS auditorium.
Balsam Range has been called the best bluegrass band on the planet. The group is made up of five outstanding acoustic musicians and singers who all hail from Western North Carolina.
Tickets will be $25 at the door, whil student tickets will be $10. A valid high school ID must be presented at the door for student pricing. All proceeds from the event will go to help the student-athletes at Pickens High School.
Call PHS athletic director Stan Butler at (864) 397-3702 for more information.
Courier Obituaries 3-2-16
Linda Marie Chapman Arnold
Pickens — Mrs. Linda Marie Chapman Arnold, 48, of 138 Crescent Hill Road, Pickens, passed away Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at her residence.
Linda was born in Pickens County on July 6, 1967, to the late Homer Henry Chapman and Sarah Marie Bryant. She loved her hometown of Pickens and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her children, Kala Arnold Gilstrap (Josh), Cory Arnold and Derek Arnold (Chari) all of Pickens; eight grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Chapman, Paula Youngblood and Teresa Sekerchak, all of Pickens; and brothers, Sammy Joe Chapman and Bobby Joe Chapman, both of Pickens.
In addition to her parents; she was predeceased by a brother, Billy Gean Chapman.
Funeral services were held Feb. 24 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickens.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home – Downtown, which is assisting the family.
MARY M. RAMEY
LIBERTY — Mary M. Ramey, 88, of Liberty, wife of the late Mike Newton Ramey, passed from this life on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at her home.
Mary was born in Anderson County, a daughter of the late Henry Madison and Betty James Mulligan. She was formerly employed in textiles as a spooler and was a member of Blue Ridge View Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda (Wallace) Kay of Liberty and her two sons, Larry (Janice) Ramey of Cateechee and Roger Ramey of Liberty. She left precious memories also to her six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and sister, Hannah Ramey.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Ramey was preceded in death by her son, Danny Ramey and her brother, Marion Mulligan.
Graveside services were held Feb. 25 at West View Cemetery in Liberty.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Tommy Ellenburg
Central — Thomas Joe “Tommy” Ellenburg, 57, of 425 Pea Ridge Road, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Born in Central, he was a son of the late David C. and Louise Carver Ellenburg. He retired from Woodall Automotive and was a member of Fairview Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Regina Jones Ellenburg of the home; a daughter, April Woodall (Kenny) of Central; a son, Wayne Ellenburg (Shannon) of Central; two brothers, Daniel Ellenburg of Liberty and Bobby Carver of Liberty; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services to honor Tommy’s life were held Feb. 27 at Fairview Baptist Church in Liberty, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to Fairview Baptist Church Youth Fund, 766 Kelly Mill Road, Six Mile SC 29682. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Royselle Spence Hammers
Six Mile — Royselle Spence Hammers, 79, passed from this life Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2016.
Born in Harrisburg, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Roy and Edna Robison Spence.
Mrs. Hammers enjoyed helping and assisting many who were in much need throughout her life as a caregiver and was a member of The Assembly of God her entire life.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Randy Hammers of Six Mile; her daughter, Paula (Bill) Burns of Knoxville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, David Burns of Hendersonville, Tenn., Kelly Brown of Knoxville, Tenn.; Ashley Harrison of Bonne Terre, Mo.; eight great-grandchildren, Zachary, Keely, Kyle, Jalen, Jordan, Breanna, Chase, Sofia; and two sisters, Vana (Leo) Tharp of Harrisburg, Ark., and Joyce Lovelady of Indianapolis, Ind.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hammers was predeceased by her son, Leon Hammers.
Funeral services were held Feb. 27 at Dillard Funeral Home chapel.
Memorials may be made to Jacobs Hope 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802. http://www.jacobshope.com.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Elva Dodson Davenport
Easley — Elva Dodson Davenport, 93, of Easley, wife of the late William Davenport, passed away Wednesday Feb. 24, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital – Downtown.
Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Dick and Belle Dodson, she was a current resident of the Sarah Gossett Retirement Home in Greenville.
Surviving are her daughter-in-law, Martha Alter (Robert) of Newnan, Ga.; two grandsons, Scott Frazier (Samantha) of Chipley, Fla., and Todd Frazier (Rosanna) of Warner Robbins, Ga.; two granddaughters, Beth Williams (Jeff) of Newnan, Ga., and Paige Frazier of Easley; one granddaughter-in-law, Cynthia Davenport (Greg); 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, parents and siblings, she is predeceased by her son James William “Jim” Davenport, her daughter Gayle Davenport Frazier and her grandson James Gregory “Greg” Davenport.
Funeral services were held Feb. 26 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home – Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Lamar “Poss” Gilstrap
Liberty — Lamar Glenn “Poss” Gilstrap, 72, of 330 Patterson Road died Tuesday, Feb., 23, 2016, at Greenville Memorial Medical Center.
Born in Liberty, he was the husband of Anna Marie Bohning Gilstrap and a son of the late Glenn William and Velma Osteen Gilstrap. He was retired from Greenwood Mills and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a sister-in-law, Barbara Gilstrap, and a nephew, Kevin Wales Gilstrap.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Roberta Gillespie, and a brother, Wales “Fargo” Gilstrap.
A private family graveside service at Westview Cemetery was held Feb. 25. Liberty Mortuary handled arrangements.
Peggy H. Williams
Easley — Peggy Humphreys Williams, 90, wife of the late Marvin Richard Williams, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at the home of her daughter.
Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Lillian Swaffar Humphreys.
Mrs. Williams was a retired registered nurse from The Greenville Hospital System and was a member of St. Andrews Methodist Church.
She was the beloved mother of Sue Champion of Florida, Rick Williams of Easley, Anne Owen (Larry) of Easley, and Robert Williams (Patty) of Virginia. Cherishing her memory are 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held in Oates Cemetery in Easley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Gentiva Hospice of Greenville, 15 Brenden Way, Suite 100, Greenville, SC 29615.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Ellen Caddell
Six Mile — Claudia Ellen Howard Caddell, 75, of 258 Mountain View Church Road, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at Greenville Memorial Medical Center.
Born in Six Mile, she was the widow of Francis Marion Caddell and a daughter of the late Claude Holland and Mildred Dacus Howard. She was employed with Easley Family Practice and Internal Medicine. Her life revolved around taking care of others, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Camp Creek Baptist Church.
Surviving are 2 sons, Gregg Caddell (Mary) of Central and Steven Caddell (Jennifer) of Six Mile; a sister, Brenda Rettberg of Fountain Inn; three brothers, Alton Howard of Pickens, Reggie Howard of Easley and Ricky Howard of Liberty; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Caddell will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel.
Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. at Liberty Mortuary. Burial will follow at Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at the home of her brother, Ricky Howard, at 553 Mauldin Lake Road Liberty, SC 29657. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Frederica A. Black
Pickens — Frederica Alexander Black passed peacefully at Rose Hill Retirement Home in Marion, N.C., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016.
She was born into this world on Feb. 6, 1919, in Pickens, a beloved daughter of Ernest Franklin and Frederica McDaniel Alexander.
Upon graduating Pickens High School, she married her one and only love — her high school sweetheart, Joseph William (Bill) Black. They married on June 22, 1938, and lived the majority of their near 72 years of marriage primarily in Pickens, where they lovingly raised their two children.
Mrs. Black was an incredibly kind, sweet and unassuming lady who devoted her entire life to her family. She was a beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. It was obvious to anyone who knew her that she treasured the role of homemaker and embraced it wholeheartedly.
Anyone who ever had the honor of gracing the door of her home was immediately and warmly made to feel welcome. She was genuinely gracious the entirety of her 97 years.
A beautiful Christian example not only for her family, she cherished volunteering in the First Baptist Church of Pickens 4 and 5 year olds Sunday School class for decades, where she both taught and played the piano. During that time period, she could be found every Saturday evening sitting in the living room at the upright piano going over the music for the following morning.
Surviving to remember her with love are her two children, Linda Black Wood (Richard) and Joseph Tribble Black (Kathy); granddaughters, Heather Wood Anderson (Greg) and Liza Wood Holmes (John); and two great-granddaughters, Grace and Molly Anderson.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Black was predeceased by her much beloved husband, Joseph William (Bill) Black; younger sister and dearest friend, Julia McKenzie Alexander; and treasured older brother, Vincent Holley Alexander.
The family rests in the knowledge that this dear woman who spent her Earthly life making home a sweet and loving place for them is now receiving her welcome into her eternal home, which has been lovingly awaiting her arrival.
A service to celebrate Mrs. Black’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown Easley.
The family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday from 10 until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pickens Historical Society: PO Box 775, Pickens, SC 29671 or the Hospice of your choice.
Online condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Hoke Lyday
Easley — Mr. Hoke Jackson Lyday, 76, passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at his home.
Born in Pickens County, a son of the late Grady Jackson and Martha Georgia Lesley Lyday, Mr. Lyday retired from Alice Manufacturing Company with more than 35 years of service and was of the Pentecostal faith.
Surviving are a son, Steve Lyday of Easley; two brothers, J.C. Lyday of Six Mile, and Robert Lyday of Powdersville; two sisters, Ruby and Sue Durham, both of Easley; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lyday was predeceased by a son, William Jackson Lyday; a daughter, Betty Sue Lyday; three brothers, Woodrow Lesley, and Henry and Estes Lyday; and two sisters, Essie Johnson and Jessie Medlin.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial will follow in the Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ coming to SWU
CENTRAL — Join the “Peanuts” gang as Southern Wesleyan University presents this year’s spring musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”.
Beloved comic strip characters will come alive in the Broadway classic, directed by SWU’s new vocal professor, Heather Haithcock. Haithcock is also a graduate and has appeared in numerous musicals on the Central campus.
Performances will take place March 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. with an afternoon matinee performance at 2 p.m. March 19. All performances will be in Folger Fine Arts Auditorium, located on Southern Wesleyan’s Central campus.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens age 60 and older. Non-SWU college student tickets are also $7, while children younger than 12 will be admitted for $5 and the performances are free for Southern Wesleyan students.
For more information and details, call (864) 644-5408. For a complete fine arts schedule, visit swu.edu/finearts.
Play planned at Liberty auditorium
Courtesy Photo Tina LaFoy as Anne Jolly, Robbie Morris as Manse Jolly and Kay Rentz as Mary Jolly in “The Reconstruction of Manse Jolly,” scheduled to be performed next weekend at the Liberty Civic Auditorium.
LIBERTY — There will be two performances of the original play “The Reconstruction of Manse Jolly” on Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Liberty Civic Auditorium on S.C. Highway 93 in Liberty.
The story is set in the Old Anderson District from 1865 through 1867, when the area was under military rule and occupied by federal troops, the 25th Massachusetts Infantry. The district included Anderson, Pickens and Oconee counties.
Courtesy photo
Debbie Teeple, Debbie Hendricks and Cydi Banks as Singing Belles.
Manse Jolly came home following the South’s surrender having left five dead brothers on the battlefields from North Carolina to Pennsylvania and finding his widowed mother and sister, Mary, subsisting in a wartorn land during the dark days of Reconstruction.
Unwilling to accept defeat, he set about reclaiming stolen property, killing Union troopers and raiding the garrison in downtown Anderson.
The two-act play written by Olivia Fowler includes original music and lyrics and some old favorites. Four gifted area musicians, Robert Wood, O.D. Hendricks, Matthew Oglesby and Carla Padget, also did all musical arrangements.
Robbie Morris appears as Manse Jolly, Tina LaFoy as his mother, Anne, Kay Rentz as his sister, Mary, and Rob Shelton plays the part of John Jolly’s ghost.
Courtesy photo
Quint Brown plays Lt. Chase, while Teresa Owens plays Miss Mary Margaret in “The Reconstruction of Manse Jolly.”
Quint Brown plays Lt. Chase, Teresa Owens is Miss Mary Margaret and is one of the Singing Belles. Olivia Fowler is storekeeper Sarah Earle. Singing Belle members Debbie Hendricks, Debbie Teeple and Cyndi Banks are both singers and townspeople. Some cast members appear in dual roles.
Tickets are $10 at the door the day of each performance. All proceeds benefit The Birchwood Center for Arts and Folk Life, a community based nonprofit organization. For additional information, call (864) 414-2465.
Lenten services set at Pickens-area churches
PICKENS — Enhance your journey to the cross this Lenten season by attending a brief service each Tuesday starting at noon, followed by a light lunch.
These ecumenical events are sponsored by the Pickens Ministerial Association and are open to the entire community.
Lenten noon services will continue March 8 Lenten services will be at Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the final service of the season will take place on March 15 at Faith Lutheran Church. All the services will be held in Pickens.
