Monthly Archives: March 2016
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.
Courier Obituaries 3-16-16
ARTHUR JUNIOR GRUBBS III
PICKENS — Arthur Junior Grubbs III, 49, of Pickens, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 12, 2016.
Six Mile nursing home plans free wrestling show
SIX MILE — According to Pruitt Health Pickens activities director Danielle Merck, Paul Burnett has a passion for professional wrestling.
Burnett has dreamed of attending another match since he and his wife of 47 years, Gayle, went to a show at the BI-LO Center in Greenville in 2014, before his admission to the nursing home.
Through partnerships with Second Wind Dreams and Golden Corner Wrestling, Pruitt Health is making that dream a reality.
The nursing home, located at 163 Love and Care Road in Six Mile, will play host to a free wrestling show for all community residents at 6 p.m. next Thursday, March 24.
Scheduled to appear at the “Dreamville” show are Ace Armstrong, Big Dan Holman, Josh Powers, Dustin Reagan, Bryson Willis, Chaz Valor and Kevin Phoenix. The card is subject to change.
Merck said Burnett, a former truck driver from Greenville, suffered a stroke in 2005, resulting in aphasia — being unable to verbally express emotion and needs — and decreased mobility.
“Even though his life was changed by the stroke, Paul continues to live life with a positive attitude,” Merck said.
She said the nursing home staff is hoping for a large turnout from the community to share this special event with Burnett and the Pruitt Health family.
Local residents are urged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on, as a limited number of chairs will be available for the outdoor event. Because it is set to be held outdoors, the weather could play a factor in the show. Officials urge those planning to attend to call ahead or check the Golden Corner Wrestling Facebook page in case of inclement weather.
For more information, call Pruitt Health Pickens at (864) 868-2307.
Statewide gymnastics meet coming to Easley
Courtesy photo
Pictured above are the Easley Gymnastics participants in this weekend’s South Carolina USA Gymnastics Optionals and Xcel Gold, Platinum and Diamond State Gymnastics Meet at the Larry D. Bagwell Gymnasium at the J.B. “Red” Owens Sports Complex in Easley.
EASLEY — Easley Gymnastics will be hosting the South Carolina USA Gymnastics Optionals and Xcel Gold, Platinum and Diamond State Gymnastics Meet at the Larry D. Bagwell Gymnasium at the J.B. “Red” Owens Sports Complex this Friday through Sunday.
It is the largest gymnastics meet to be held in Easley, as the best gymnasts in the state will compete to go to regionals, with 750 gymnasts and more than 4,000 spectators expected over the three-day meet.
Local gymnastics clubs include Easley Gymnastics, Electric City Gymnastics, Kozeev’s World of Gymnastics. Greenville Gymnastics, Upstate Gymnastics, Palmetto Gym, Foothills Gymnastics, Simpsonville Gymnastics and Acrosmith Gymnastics, as well as clubs from Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charleston and all over the state.
Easley Gymnastics gymnasts include Level 6 — Abby Musselwhite, Alyssa Easlick, Kendall Boyd. Xcel Gold — Ella Hawkins and Lydia Branham. Level 7 — Gracie Jackson. Level 8 — Meredith Brookshire. Xcel Platinum — Calleigh Lollis. They will be attending with their coaches, Dave Arnold and Jenny Haluska.
Visit www.EasleyGym.com/State-Meet for a complete schedule of each day’s competitions. If you would like more information, contact Easley Gymnastics at (864) 269-2007.
Summer day camps scheduled at YMCA
Courtesy photo
Pickens Y camp coordinator Christy Kay, left, enjoys being a part of the kids’ fun at luau day.
EASLEY — The YMCA is now taking registration for summer day camp.
The program is open to children ages 4-13, and begins on June 6 and runs for 10 weeks. Camp is offered in Easley, Pickens and Powdersville.
“Camp is awesome,” Pickens Y camp coordinator Christy Kay said. “I love the Y because it allows kids of all backgrounds to make new friends and feel like they belong somewhere.”
The day is always packed full of activities that keep the children active and engaged, as well as focusing on Christian principles through devotions. One activity is done through what the Y calls Campers Choice. Campers build confidence and feel empowered when they are given the opportunity to choose an activity they want to participate in each day. Since summer weather is usually hot, one day a week campers get to participate in a water fun day, where there are water games and activities to keep them cool. These are only a couple of examples of what happens at camp.
Courtesy photo
Camper Rhett Nicholsen enjoyed getting to paint his hands during a camp activity at YMCA summer camp last year.
“Summer Camp is by far the most amazing experience I’ve ever been a part of,” Easley Y camp coordinator Cass Ramey said. “Not only is there enough adventure for a lifetime packed into 10 short weeks, but each moment spent seeing such a diverse group of kids learn from, laugh and create life-long friendships with each other truly makes this a one of a kind experience. It is for these reasons that I am blessed to be a part of The. Best. Summer. Ever!”
At the YMCA, officials believe that every child deserves the opportunity to experience new activities and meet new people in a program that focuses on achievement, relationships and belonging. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and we have the responsibility to develop them. Register online today at www.pcymca.net for summer camp and receive early-bird pricing. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Visit the website for details on how to apply. For more information, call the Y at 888-835-5221.
Easley High NJROTC team takes ninth in national event
Cadets visiting Mount Rainer during a fun break from competition.
EASLEY — Easley High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (NJROTC) unit competed in the Navy National Orienteering Championship held in the Seattle area on March 5-6.
Orienteering is a sport that involves land navigation, cross country running and decision making. Easley qualified to compete nationally by winning the region competition in January. 29 NJROTC units out of more than 600 units throughout the United States qualified to compete at the national level by placing first, second or third in their respective NJROTC Area.
Easley’s Junior Varsity team took fifth place overall, with cadet Kelsie Hart leading the team, placing first individually on the orange course. Easley placed ninth overall.
“I’m proud of the team,” EHS instructor Chief Mark Stauder said. “Going into a three-hour-different time zone, running a different type of terrain and being out of their element, I think they did extremely well. Most of these cadets will never have the opportunity to compete on a national level again in their lifetime in any type of competition, so this event was a great experience.”
The cadets who competed were cadets Brandon Marsh, Ryan Jeanes, Cody Marshall, Joey Sigler, Brenda Lopez-Perez, Kelsie Hart, Griff Von Schmittou, William Frazier, Chase Wengerd and Matthew West.
Stauder also gave thanks to chaperone Jacqueline Ashford, who helped with locating the venues and ensuring that the cadets were well fed and hydrated throughout the trip.
Member of the Month
This month’s Pickens Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month is the Hagood Community Center/Pickens Senior Center. The Hagood Community Center is located at 129 Schoolhouse St. in Pickens and helps improves the lives of seniors through communal meals, entertainment, education, recreation and cultural activities. Contact the center at (864) 878-6000 or pickenssenior@hagoodcenter.org.
Faith Lutheran plans Luncheon
PICKENS — Faith Lutheran Chapel will hold a church fundraiser luncheon this Friday, March 18.
The event, which will run from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall, located at 729 W. Main St. in Pickens. The plates will be sold for $7 and will include lasagna, cheesy potatoes, green salad, garlic bread, tea and dessert. Everyone is welcome to enjoy their meal at the church, pick up plates to go or even have some delivered. For more information, call (864) 419-7049.
Soapstone set to host fundraiser
PICKENS — Soapstone Church invites everyone to a special fundraiser at the church, located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens, this Saturday, March 19.
The event will feature fine cooking and will be held from noon-8 p.m.
Visitors will enjoy true Southern cooking, including a fish fry, barbecue and fried chicken with all the fixings right from Mrs. Mabel’s kitchen.
For more information, call (864) 414-8470.
Churches to present ‘The Easter Story’
PICKENS — Praters Creek and Crescent Hill Baptist churches of Pickens are joining to present “The Easter Story” this Saturday, March 19, from 2-4 p.m.
In addition to the story, there will be an Easter egg hunt for the children and refreshments for everyone.
The activity will take place at Praters Creek Baptist Church, located at 621 Praters Creek Road in Pickens.
