Monthly Archives: March 2016
Pickens Presbyterian sets services, egg hunt
Pickens Presbyterian Church, located at 311 W. Main St. in Pickens, will be holding a Good Friday (Tenebrae) Service this Friday at noon. The church will also hold its Easter morning celebration at 11 a.m. Sunday, followed by an Easter egg hunt immediately after the service. All children fifth grade and younger are invited to participate. For more information, call (864) 878-9422. Pictured at right, young Will Varney peeks into his basket during last year’s event.
In memory of Adam C. Harris
In memory of
Adam C. Harris
June 20, 1986 ~
March 25, 2006
Your gentle face and patient smile with sadness we recall
You had a kindly word for each and passed away beloved by all
The voice is mute and stilled the heart that loved us well and true
Ah, bitter was the trail to part from one so good as you
You are not forgotten loved one, nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last we will remember thee
We miss you now
our hearts are sore
As time goes by
we miss you more
Your loving smile
your gentle face
No one can fill
your vacant place
It’s been 10 years since a heart of gold stopped beating
Two smiling eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.
I love and miss you,
Mama
Covey inks with Citadel
PICKENS — Gunner Covey admittedly had some minor discipline issues early in his Pickens High School career.
“I struggled the first couple years of school,” he said recently. “I goofed around and didn’t do everything like I should.”
But Covey, a leader for the Blue Flame football team over the last four seasons, has turned things around in a big way, culminating in the senior signing a national letter of intent March 11 to play for The Citadel.
“I’m very excited to get an opportunity to play at a great school like The Citadel,” he said. “It’s an honor more than anything.
“It’s going to be rough the first year — everybody tells me that. But once you get over that first year, you should be pretty good.”
An all-region performer in 2014 and 2015, Covey compiled more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage during his career at Pickens. He rushed for 2,446 yards on 427 carries and had 45 receptions for 563 yards. He scored 34 career touchdowns and had a career rushing average of 5.8 yards per carry.
When asked what his program will miss most about Covey, Pickens coach John Boggs rattled off a list of adjectives.
“Versatility, leadership, intensity, toughness — all that stuff he brings to the table,” Boggs said. “His physical presence alone demands respect, but he is a guy that everybody in the locker room looks up to.”
In addition to his primary position of fullback, Covey played deep snapper, defensive end, linebacker and tight end throughout his career.
Covey said signing the letter of intent lifted a weight from his shoulders.
“It’s very humbling to come from a school like Pickens that has a great community and a great fanbase,” he said. “I’m going to miss family and how close everybody is around here.”
He also said he will miss the coaching staff at Pickens.
“I had some great coaches who are all like second fathers to me,” he said.
Adult coed volleyball leagues now forming
PICKENS — The Pickens Recreation Department is now holding registration for adult coed volleyball, formally known as the “Backyard League.”
Players must be 21 years of age (ID required). The registration fee will be $45 per couple in-city or $55 out-of-city and is due at time of sign-up. Individual fees are $22.50 in-city or $27.50 out-of-city. Due date for registration fees is April 1 at the Recreation Department on Sangamo Road. Fees are non-refundable.
Once registration is concluded, players will be placed on teams by the league director. Practice dates will be announced. Games are on Sunday afternoons and will begin April 24 (approximate start date). Call (864) 878-2296 with any additional questions.
Pickens Rec plans summer day camps
PICKENS — Registration is now being taken for the Pickens Recreation Department’s nine 2016 summer day camp sessions.
The sessions, which will each last one week, are set for June 6-10, 13-17 and 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29, and August 1-5 and 8-12.
There will be no day camp the week of July 4.
All camps will be held at the Pickens Recreation Center at 545 Sangamo Road and are open for children ages 6-12 — those who have completed 5K kindergarten through rising seventh graders.
Camp days will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost is $70 per child per week or $40 per child per half week. A price adjustment is available for additional siblings for full week sessions. A nonrefundable $25 registration fee is due by May 20 and includes a camp T-shirt. Late registration fees will be $35.
Breakfast and lunch will be furnished through the S.C. Department of Education’s Summer Feeding Program, with dates to come later. There is no transportation for field trips; therefore, each week will feature on-site activities that will include sports, movies, water days, games, bike days, arts and crafts, etc.
For more information, call (864) 878-2296.
As Marie said, ‘let them eat cake’
Injustice is always upsetting to see and to experience.It’s wrong. Discrimination should not be tolerated. It’s wrong.
There have been many justifications and rationalizations presented by members of the school board in defense of their decision to close Holly Springs and A.R. Lewis elementary schools.
I don’t think these arguments hold water when examined in the light of day.
What I do believe is these rural schools have been singled out for closing simply because of their locations, rural populations and the unique cultures and heritage of their communities.
I don’t believe the decision is based on economic necessity because of the little problem the board has with credibility.
When gas prices were sky high a couple of years ago, there wasn’t enough money allocated in the budget to cover running the buses. There was talk of closing down athletic programs to pay to run the buses.
Well, this year a lot more money was allocated for bus transportation than was needed. I wonder what will happen to the surplus.
We’ll never know.
Some years ago, Easley High School had such a serious problem with mold in some of its classrooms that a number of students developed serious health problems — so serious that some parents were forced to relocate their children to other schools.
When the board finally allowed the building to be tested for mold, they directed the testing to buildings that weren’t affected by mold problems. Yes, they had the clear buildings tested so they didn’t have to spend the money to correct the problem.
It wasn’t until a group of parents sued the district and won a settlement that the mold problem was treated. It would have been much less expensive to simply rectify the problem when it was identified than to deny it, label the sick students scapegoats and troublemakers and risk the health of hundreds of children. But instead, lots and lots of money was paid out when the lawsuit was lost. We were never allowed to know how much.
School board members, are you ready to destroy communities because the affected voters don’t live in your district? Clearly, the answer is yes.
Have you so little understanding of the education process to think the children ripped from their communities will thrive under these circumstances? If you answer honestly, the answer is yes.
Apparently these children are expendable. These communities are expendable. Appalachian culture and heritage are expendable.
Preserving the fabric that holds the communities together is essential to the well-being of the whole.
Why are you really doing this? I don’t believe for one minute that finances are the driving force. If that were true, you would simply vote to raise millage slightly or cut expenses in other places.
There have been rumbles in the county about discrimination suits being brought. I would not be surprised. I have been told that the U.S. Department of Education has been contacted for help, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, based upon what some believe are attempts by the school board to cleanse the district of the pockets of Appalachian culture and heritage in its rural mountain areas.
And apparently this is perfectly alright with board members whose own attendance areas aren’t affected. They’ll sacrifice the ones least able to defend against this attack, and they believe not only that they can get away with it, they honestly believe it is perfectly alright to do this.
The message we take home with us is “If you can’t vote for me, then I really don’t care what you think.”
Clearly the public outcry against this decision is in vain. It doesn’t matter that the children in these schools did well or entered middle school prepared to excel there. It just doesn’t matter.
So don’t waste your breath telling us how much better off we’ll be without our mountain schools. There’s an old saying — “Just because your mouth opens and shuts like a prayer book doesn’t mean it is one.” Amen.
Courier Letters to the Editor 3-23-16
Authority over boards necessary
Dear Editor,
Like I said early on about the Pickens County School Board closing A.R. Lewis and Holly Springs, the root of the problem was “an utter and complete breakdown of representative government.”
The public had a loud, broad and unanimous opposition to closing any schools. Let’s face it, trustees Judy Edwards, Phil Bowers, Brian Swords and Herb Cooper and superintendent Dr. Danny Merck didn’t hear the message, and voted to close the schools anyway.
Stating it another way, the public owns the school system, hires trustees to not only listen, but hear, and when the directives from the public are clear, broad and unanimous, the trustees are to follow them. That process broke down miserably.
This is a nationwide problem with our government, reflecting in the rise of Donald Trump. When candidates get into office and move just beyond the reach of the voters for another four years, too many then do what they want or even the opposite of what they promised during their campaigns. That is frustrating the heck out of people, and rightly so, so it must change.
But how change it? At the county level, the solution might be in giving the public petition/referendum power to repeal items passed by the school board. This would put a little decision-making power in the hands of the people directly — what they yearn for, and such veto authority could be used any time the board goes wayward on an issue like our school board did last week.
If such a law was in effect now, residents of Pickens County could start a petition against the closures (signatures equal to 15 percent of registered voters) and submit that petition to the board chairman. If the board refused to reverse their decision, the item would then be put on the ballot for all voters in November for repeal.
Looking at Title 5, Chapter 17 (cities) and Title 4, Chapter 9 (counties) of the state code, residents have similar authority already with their city councils and the county council. Residents in all counties of the state need similar authority over their school boards.
Alex Saitta
School board trustee
Pickens
A tyrannical school board
Dear Editor,
Tyranny is “cruel and unfair treatment by people with powers over others” according to Webster. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
This is exactly what has happened with the Pickens County School Board with the recent closing of two rural schools against the will of the people. Is that not unfair and cruel?
The overwhelming majority of the citizens of Pickens County did not want these two schools closed and made their wishes known to board members. Only two school board members listened to the will of the people — Alex Saitta and Henry Wilson. They obviously don’t believe in tyranny.
The other four members shut people out in the rain when the decision was made and ignored motion after motion by Saitta and Wilson to give more time and thought for the will of the people to prevail.
After a call-in blitz that was held recently, it has become quite clear that the S.C. State Board of Education will do nothing even though they do have the ultimate authority over education, according to the S.C. Constitution.
It has become quite clear that Gov. Nikki Haley is not going to intervene.
None of our Pickens County Legislative Delegation members have offered any solutions.
Isn’t it interesting that all of the above elected officials will get involved in situations that “they” think are important, like taking down the Confederate flag? But yet when we the people feel there is an unjust tyrannical school board holding our schools hostage for ransom we get just a … “sorry, we can’t help.” When the board threatens to close schools because you aren’t giving them enough money, that is extortion!
Edmond Burke once said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Don’t remain silent, people, or there will be more tyrannical decisions made by these tyrants!
Johnnelle Raines
Pickens
Editorial full of irony
Dear Editor,
It is ironic that Senator Tim Scott, in his recent editorial regarding the appointment of the replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia, went on at great length about the importance of politicians following “the will of the people,” while the leaders of his own party are laying awake at night trying to devise a backdoor scheme to deny their party’s nomination for president to the voters’ clear choice, and to hand the nomination to the distant third-place candidate. So much for “the will of the people.”
The people expressed their will quite clearly a little more than three years ago, when they re-elected President Obama to his second four-year term. That’s four years, not three.
The Constitution is clear in describing the president’s responsibility for nominating a replacement for a vacancy on the court, and for the Senate’s responsibility for considering that nominee for confirmation. There is no ambiguity, and certainly no mention of a cut-off point in a president’s term of office beyond which a president’s constitutional responsibilities are put on hold until after the next election.
Sen. Scott cited Joe Biden’s comments made 24 years ago in which Biden questioned whether the then-incumbent president should recommend a replacement to fill a Supreme Court vacancy during the last days of the president’s term of office. What he does not mention is the fact that the Republican who spoke in opposition to Biden’s question was South Carolina’s own Sen. Strom Thurmond, who said (correctly) that there is no rule that would prevent an incumbent president from making an appointment at any time during his term of office. The state of today’s Republican party is almost enough to make one nostalgic for Strom Thurmond.
The objection by the Republicans to President Obama’s exercising his constitutional responsibility to put forward a nominee for Justice Scalia’s replacement is nothing more than continuation of their overt stated policy of obstruction of the nation’s business for cheap political gain. The responsibilities of the president and the Senate are clear. Let’s get on with it.
John Landers
Liberty
Courier Obituaries 3-23-16
Melvin William Ephriam Cobb
Pickens — Melvin William Ephriam Cobb, 40, went to be with the Lord Monday, March 7, 2016, at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Mr. Cobb was born in Easley, a son of the late Kathie Louise Cobb and Billy Douglas.
William was a graduate of Pickens High, where he played the trumpet and sousaphone in junior high and the high school marching band. He spent a lot of time reading and writing all his life. He attended Clemson University and he enjoyed music of all kinds. William was a kind person, who always tried to help others and encourage the need of a good education. He traveled to many places, including Iowa, the Bahamas, Kentucky, New Jersey and Florida, just to name a few. He grew up in a Christian home with a strong belief that he would see his mother again one day.
He met and fell in love with Kimberly Richardson; they planned to have a long loving home together.
Survivors include his grandmother, Vallie Mae Powell Cobb; one aunt, Lesa Mae Cobb Wimpey; one uncle, Richard Wimpey; one nephew, Matthew Lee Wimpey; and one niece, Melissa Faith Wimpey, all of Pickens, loving companion Kimberly and her parents, and special friend, Joseph Newman.
Services were held March 12 in the Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Reverend H.C. Couch, with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Mr. Cobb was predeceased by his parents and grandfather, Melvin Cobb.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Cobb family.
Larry Jo Arrowood
Easley — Mr. Larry Jo Arrowood, 48, husband of Lisa Michelle Holcombe Arrowood, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016, at his home.
Born in Greenville County, a son of Riley Donald Arrowood and Betty Frances Valentine Lesley, Mr. Arrowood was co-owner of Arrowood-Valentine Construction Inc. and of the Baptist faith.
Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are his stepfather, Bobby Joe Lesley; a son, Luke Joseph Arrowood of the home; a stepson, Justen Gray Wade of Easley; three daughters, Christina Leigh Woods (Lynne) of Lexington, Christy Lee Arrowood (Zack) of Pelzer and Jessica Hope Arrowood of Greenville; two brothers, Johnny Steven Valentine (Geralene) of Easley and Ronald Dale Arrowood of Greenville; two stepsisters, Tracy Parker (Matt) of Easley and Keila Mize (Tony) of Seneca; two sisters-in-law, Teresa Lesley of Easley and Kendall Durham (Scott) of Easley; a brother-in-law, Allen Holcombe of Easley; and six grandchildren. Mr. Arrowood was predeceased by a stepbrother, Lonnie Joe Lesley.
Funeral services were held March 18 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with Rev. Bobby Marchbanks officiating, with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Terry Gillespie
Easley — Terry Gillespie, 64, husband of Shelia Rider Gillespie, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Gillespie was born in Greenville, a son of the late Rosa Lee Traywick Gillespie and J.T. Gillespie.
He was a very well loved man. Everyone called him Papa. He was a Mason and a member of Bates Lodge No. 189 and a Shriner. He loved the mountains, fishing and camping. He was a joker and joked with everyone. He loved his grandkids and his great-granddaughter — they were his everything. He was waiting for the day to walk his baby girl down the aisle. He was a business owner and self-employed. Everyone who knew him loved him. He enjoyed hanging out with his buddies at the Farmers Market in Easley with the coffee club. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years; two daughters, Sherry Renee Murray (Robert Lee) of Liberty and April Michelle Hendricks (Donnie) of Taylors; one son, Leonard Terry Gillespie (Barbara Diane) of Central; two sisters, Rhonda Martin of Lexington and Elaine Land of Easley; three brothers, Charles Gillespie of Easley, Larry Gillespie of Columbia and Chris Gillespie of Lexington; three grandsons, Austin James Johnson of Taylors, D.J. Johnson (Carson Henderson) of Easley and Jaren Lusk of Easley; and one great-granddaughter, Olivia Ann Johnson of Easley.
Mr. Gillespie was predeceased by his parents, one brother, Gary Gillespie, one sister, Mary Locke, and two grandsons, L.J. and Johnathan Gillespie.
Services were held March 18 in the Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, with entombment following in Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Flowers to be omitted, and memorials may be made to Interim HealthCare Hospice, 155 Deacon Tiller Court, Duncan, SC, 29334 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Gillespie family.
Thurman Clifford “T.C.” Littleton
Easley — Mr. Thurman Clifford “T.C.” Littleton, 93, husband of Mildred Duncan Littleton, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016, at his home.
Born in Oconee County, the son of the late Elijah and Dora Corbin Littleton, Mr. Littleton retired from the retail industry, was of the Baptist faith and loved camping and gardening. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in WWII.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 71 years, are a daughter, Carol L. Nicholson (Erick) of Easley; two grandchildren, Jill Taylor and Joe Taylor; one great-grandchild, Henry Flowers; and a second grandson on the way.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Jerry “JR” Randal Orr
Easley — Jerry “JR” Randal Orr, 15, of Easley passed Tuesday, March 15, 2016, and is the son of Randal “Randy” Earl Orr and Wanda A. Taylor.
He was a member of Mt. Airy Baptist Church in Easley. JR was a fan of NASCAR and the South Carolina Gamecocks, and enjoyed camping and fishing, especially at Lake Keowee, and wrestling.
JR was preceded in death by his grandfather, Billy “Bill” Orr.
He is survived by his parents, Randy Earl Orr and Wanda A. Taylor; brothers, Brandon Taylor of Williamston and Kyle Eaton of Pelzer; sister, Kristen Taylor of Williamston; special grandmother, Doris Lollis Orr; grandparents, Jerry R. and Ann Smith Gillespie; uncles, Frankie “Wally” Orr and Stanley Orr, both of Easley, and Ricky Orr of North Carolina; cousins, Ethan Orr, Kayla Maxwell and Jessie Rollins; dogs, Puff and Sugar.
Services were held March 19 at Robinson Funeral Home – Powdersville Road, with Pastor Dave Storay officiating, with burial following in Mt. Airy Baptist Church Cemetery.
Donations have been requested by family directly to Mt. Airy Baptist Church Building Fund, 210 Mt. Airy Church Road, Easley, SC 29642.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home – Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.
James B. Holland III
Pickens — James Boyd Holland III of Pickens died on March 19, 2016.
Mr. Holland was the son of the late Mary Gravely and James Boyd Holland Jr. and grew up in Pickens.
Graduating from the Mercer School of Pharmacy, he was employed in retail drug stores in Atlanta and Hendersonville, N.C., before returning in 1965 to purchase Pickens Drug Company and opening The Medical Center, where he served the community until the stores were sold in 2005.
A longtime member of Pickens Presbyterian Church, he served as a Sunday school teacher and Elder on the Session, as well as on many Synod committees.
Mr. Holland is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Harper Holland, as well as three children, Kathryn Holland Holder (Boots), Dr. John E. Holland (Jana) of Pickens and Thomas R. Holland of Greenwood; and eight grandchildren, Rebecca Holder, Hattiesburg, Miss., Elizabeth Holder Acho (David), Lima, Peru, and Joseph Holder (Melonie), Anna Claire, Isaac, Emory Kate, Eloise and Ian Holland, all of Pickens. He is also survived by his sister, Dr. Marianne Holland of Pickens.
A celebration of Mr. Holland’s life was held at the Pickens Presbyterian Church on March 22, conducted by the Rev. Nath Briley.
Memorials may be made to the Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center, P. O. Box, 834, Pickens, SC 29671, and to the La Esperanza Baptist Church Building Fund, 216 Tiger Drive, Pickens, SC 29671.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Bobby Joe Pilgrim
Norris — Bobby Joe Pilgrim, 79, of Norris, died Friday, March 18, 2016, at his home.
Born in Cateechee, he was a son of the late Ernest and Guynelle Rumler Pilgrim.
He retired from American Enka and was a member of Faith Baptist Church. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War.
Surviving are his wife, Christine Pilgrim of the home; a daughter, Marlene Holcombe (Bobby) of Spartanburg; two sons, Steve Pilgrim (Shirley) of Norris and Michael Pilgrim (Allison) of Easley; a sister, Mary Nell Powell of Central; a brother, Don Pilgrim of Liberty; six grandchildren, Mark and Scott Pilgrim, Christy Caron, C.J. and Chris Holcombe, and Tanner Pilgrim; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Leon and Bill Pilgrim.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mr. Pilgrim were held March 21 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, followed by burial at Liberty Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Pelzer Rescue Squad, PO Box 94, Pelzer SC 29669-0094.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Allender W. “Bub” Jenkins
Easley — Mr. Allender Wilkes “Bub” Jenkins, 81, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Majesty Health and Rehab.
Born in Pickens County, a son of the late Allender Wilkes Jenkins Sr. and the late Annie Sue Blake Jenkins, Mr. Jenkins retired from Platt-Saco Lowell and was a member of Croswell Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a member of Bates Masonic Lodge No. 189 A.F.M. and a Hejaz Shriner.
Surviving are a brother, James Blake Jenkins of Easley; and two sisters, Juanita Gardner of Easley and Dorothy Thomason of Mauldin. In addition to his parents, Mr. Jenkins was predeceased by two brothers, Jerry Jenkins Sr. and Richard Jenkins.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with military honors and Masonic rites.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to the Bates Masonic Lodge No. 189 A.F.M., P.O. Box 1125 Easley, SC 29641.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Rick Williams
Easley — Mr. Marvin Richard “Rick” Williams II, 65, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital-Downtown.
Born in Greenville County, a son of the late Marvin Richard Williams Sr. and the late Peggy Humphreys Williams, Mr. Williams was a graduate of North Greenville College and a sales manager with Acosta Sales. He was a member of Pendleton Street Baptist Church.
Surviving are the love of his life, Pansy Dunn Williams; a daughter, Tiffany Williams and a grandson, Richie Hester, both of the home; a brother, Robert Williams (Patty) of Virginia; and two sisters, Sue Champion of Florida and Anne Owen (Larry) of Easley.
The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. A private graveside service will follow at the Oates Family Cemetery in Easley.
The family is at the home of Pansy Dunn Williams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gilead Baptist Church, P.O. Box 464, Pickens, SC 29671.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
HAZEL FINLEY OWEN
GREENVILLE — Hazel Finley Owen, 85, of Greenville, widow of Thomas Leland Owen, died Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
Born in Liberty, she was the daughter of the late Amos Oscar and Jessie Young Finley.
She was a member of Berea Heights Baptist Church.
She is survived by three sons, Bobby Wayne (Diane), Thomas Michael and David Leland Owen (Anica); four grandchildren, Preslee Owen, Ella Owen, Heather Chen and Jason Gamble; five great-grandchildren, Arden Gamble and Lily, Gutherie, Ezekiel and Grace Chen.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Finley and William Alvin Finley.
A graveside service was held on March 18 in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest is handling arrangements.
ARVEL KENNETH NICHOLS
Liberty — Arvel Kenneth Nichols, 66, husband of Sybil Jean Morgan Nichols, of 414 Odell Road, Liberty, passed away Monday, March 21, 2016, at his residence.
A native of Pickens, Mr. Nichols was the son of the late Carl Benjamin and Ollie Annie Pearl Collins Nichols. He was retired from the textile industry.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Nichols is survived by sons William Nichols of Liberty and Billy Nichols of Seneca; daughters Brittany Nichols and Morgan Nichols, both of Liberty; five grandchildren; brother Daniel Nichols of Six Mile; and sisters Margaret Porter of Salem and Carolyn Edens of Westminster.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Nichols was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jordan Nichols; brother, Roger Nichols; and sisters, Vickie Swafford and Gail Scruggs.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, at Mt. Carmel #2 Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 414 Odell Road, Liberty, SC 29657 on Wednesday, March 23.
Flowers are accepted. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.davenportfuneralhome.com. Davenport Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Local farmers markets help county residents get spring spirit
Courtesy photos
Left: Got a green thumb this year? Get plants for your own garden at the market. Above: Lydia Carpenter, Nicole Philbeck, Kay Senn, Beth Woodside sell snow cones at the Farm-Fresh Market at Clemson University. Right: Dave Lindsay canes a chair at the Easley Farmers Market.
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
The arrival of spring means that more people are looking for ways to get outdoors. The many farmers markets in the area provide a way to do that, combining freshness and fun. It won’t be long before the markets open for their 2016 season. They are a great way to enjoy the fruits of the season while getting to know the farmers themselves. We’ve put together a guide to the markets in the Pickens County area.
Easley
“Downtown is the place to be on Saturday mornings,” Easley Farmers Market manager Lisa Chapman said.
The market in Easley will celebrate its eighth season this year, kicking off on April 2.
The first farmers market of the season will be held in conjunction with Easley’s Spring Fling Arts Festival. The market will have special hours that day and will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. After April 2, the regular market hours will be 8 a.m.-noon each Saturday, concluding with another special market in conjunction with the Fall for the Arts Festival on Oct. 1.
A special holiday market is being planned for sometime in November, Chapman said.
The bounty is plentiful at the Easley Farmers Market.
“We have 19 farmers lined up so far who will offer a variety of vegetables, plants, honey (and) fresh eggs,” she said. “I have a vendor who is doing Thai herbs and Thai peppers. We have Walker Century Farms, who will be selling grass-fed beef and pork.”
In addition to produce and products from area farms and gardens, the market offers much more, Chapman said.
“I’ve got 14 vendors lined up who are value-added vendors, who will be doing a variety of jams, jellies, salsas, etc.,” Chapman said.
Shem Creek will be back with its South Carolina shrimp.
“They’re going to expand their line and offer a bigger variety of seafood other than just shrimp,” Chapman said.
New vendor Rock Farms will be offering products made from goat milk, including lotions and salves. Elysium Pottery will be selling handmade ceramics, including plates, bowls and mugs.
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“We’ll have bakers doing breads, cakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, muffins and all that good stuff,” Chapman said.
Attendees will also be able to have breakfast at the market, courtesy of the Starving Artist Cafe booth, which will be selling biscuits, coffee and other goodies.
The market will host a variety of crafters throughout the season.
“We’ll have a couple of authors,” Chapman said. “We have a couple of people doing jewelry and home decor. We have a lady selling note cards and framed photos from nature photography that she does — excellent photos.
“We have a variety of crafters,” she continued. “Dave Lindsay will be back doing chair caning. He actually demonstrates his work on Saturdays. He actually canes chairs.”
Lindsay’s sister, Cathy English, is a weaver.
“She also demonstrates how she weaves her scarves, table runners and things like that,” Chapman said.
Chapman is working with a local chef to set up cooking demonstrations.
“He can demonstrate how to make simple dishes with fresh vegetables from the market,” she said.
She’s working on setting up live music at the market.
“Any local people that would like to come out and play, I’d be glad to talk to them,” Chapman said.
Chapman is pleased with how the market has grown year after year but says she still hears from people who are surprised Easley has a farmers market.
“Word is slowly getting out,” she said. “We have a good core group of vendors who have been with us from the beginning.”
The Easley Farmers Market is also on Facebook and Twitter. On Friday afternoons, Chapman posts a list of who’s slated to be at the next day’s market. On Saturday mornings, she updates with a post about which vendors are there.
“So people will know if their favorite vendor is there or not,” Chapman said.
Visit the market’s website at easleyfarmersmarket.org.
Six Mile
Six Mile gives an old building in town new life while connecting farmers to customers.
The Six Mile Farmers Depot operates on Thursdays in the old fire department building next to Town Hall on Main Street. The market will kick off its 2016 season on Thursday, April 21, and will run until the last Thursday in September. Market hours are 4-7 p.m.
The market’s vendors may sell plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit and arts and crafts. Cakes, pies, jams and jellies may also be sold, as long as they are made in a DHEC-approved kitchen.
The market is seeking vendors for the 2016 season. Those interested in being a vendor should contact market manager Jim Hayes at (864) 650-5078 or james_hayes@sixmilesc.org.
Clemson
Head to the Village Green at Patrick Square on Friday afternoons for the Clemson Farmers Market.
“Our mission is to provide healthy food options for the community while promoting local agriculture and the farmers in our area,” market manager Kathi Dimmock said.
The Clemson market, which started in 2010, will kick off its 2016 season on May 13 and will run until October 14. Special market days will also be held on Nov. 4, a harvest market, and on Dec. 2, a holiday market.
The Clemson Farmers Market is open rain or shine from 3-6 p.m. on Fridays during the market season. It features fresh local produce, farm products, specialty food items and homemade arts and crafts.
“The majority of our vendors come from Anderson, Oconee and Pickens,” Dimmock said. “I think our vendors are the best in the Upstate.”
The vendors “run the gamut,” Dimmock said. Produce offered at the market include corn, tomatoes, squash, green beans and much more. Other products include local honey, health and wellness products and products made from goat milk.
“We have two or three people that make fresh bread,” Dimmock said. “We have people who bring in handmade items such as jewelry and candles. We have someone who brings in her loom and spins. We have someone who does chair caning. A lot of our vendors have their farm fresh eggs.”
The Happy Berry of Six Mile offers blueberries and blackberries.
“If it’s on the farm, it comes to the farmers market,” Dimmock said.
The first Friday of each month, beginning in June, the market hosts special entertainment, including vendor demonstrations and taste testings. On those days, Patrick Square brings in a giant inflatable for the kids, Dimmock said.
On opening day, May 13, in addition to regular market vendors, the Clemson market will host its second annual Healthy Living Expo, which will give customers a chance to learn about businesses and organizations that offer healthy living products and services.
“We’ll have health screenings at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute,” Dimmock said. “Val and Katie from Friends Farm and Catering will perform a healthy cooking demonstration. They’ll be using products from the farmers market.”
Opening day will also feature family-friendly activities including live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a chance to sample vendors’ products and more.
Vendors are still being accepted for the Healthy Living Expo. Contact Dimmock at (864) 654-3918 or kathi.dimmock@att.net for more information.
The Clemson Farmers Market is open rain or shine from 3-6 p.m. on Fridays during the market season.
If you would like to be a vendor at the Clemson Farmers Market, find more information, including market guidelines, at the market’s website, clemsonfarmersmarket.org.
Clemson University
A Clemson University organization brings fresh food right on campus.
The Clemson Farm-Fresh Market will kick off its 2016 season March 31. Other market dates are April 7, April 14 and April 22. The market is held from 2-5 p.m. at the Carillon Garden on the campus of Clemson University.
According to market manager Zoe Osborne, the market focuses on small businesses.
“We believe that you should know your farmer when purchasing your food,” Osborne said.
Businesses represented at the market this season include Growing Green Microgreens and Herbs, Forx Farm Gouda Cheese and FOH Ministries Guatemalan Coffee.
“We even have one of our students, Sam Lopane, who makes his own granola under the name ‘Mount Gilead Granola’ who will be at our markets,” Osborne said.
The market began as a Creative Inquiry team at Clemson University.
Currently the market does not receive any funding from the university, Osborne said.
“We rely heavily on the local community to support us,” she said. “We have come up with new ways to supply the cost of reserving the market area, renting tables, etc.”
Last semester the market sold T-shirts. Some of those shirts will be used to make reusable produce bags that the market will sell to help cover costs, Osborne said.
During the markets, live music will be provided by Tiger Paw Productions. Stop by the Nutrition Club’s booth to learn some fun food facts.
Other Clemson organizations have been encouraged to use the market to help promote themselves.
“We believe that we can build each other up when we all come together,” Osborne said. “We’ll also be setting up informational booths promoting sustainability and having small activities for attendees to participate in. Right now we’re thinking of small potted planting painting and tutorials on how to make your own compost.”
Those from off campus wishing to visit the Farm Fresh Market should park at one of the metered spots in the parking lots near the Carillon Gardens.
For more information on the Farm-Fresh Market, visit clemson.edu/cafls/farm_fresh_market/.
