Daily Archives: 08/22/2017
SOLAR SPECTACLE
With Pickens County directly in the path of totality for Monday’s once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse, which blotted out the sun and turned day into night for two and a half minutes, events around the area drew thousands of visitors from around the state and nation. Clemson University officials said around 50,000 people were on hand for its Eclipse Over Clemson event, while Pickens County and Southern Wesleyan University also joined forces for an Eclipse Over Pickens County event that drew a large crowd to the university’s track complex. 
Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell, top, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and wife, Kathleen, left, were among those who donned special viewing glasses to watch the eclipse.
Photos by Carl Ackerman, John Bolton, Rex Brown, Lindsay Cunningham, Pamela Dodson, Rocky Nimmons and Ed Welch
‘Indescribable’: Eclipse draws 50,000 to Clemson
By Eric Sprott
Courtesy The Journal
eric@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — The simulations began playing inside the Clemson University planetarium in 2011, and it wasn’t long after that when Mark Leising said the phone calls started coming in from alumni wondering what the school 
had planned ahead of Monday’s total solar eclipse.
“We didn’t know what we were doing, but we said we’d do something, and it’s really been about the last year we’ve been gearing up for this,” said Leising, a professor in the school’s department of physics and astronomy. “As you might guess, it’s sort of tricky to get people fully interested in something that they don’t quite know what it is.”
However, Leising and the rest of the university accomplished just that, as
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State official: Education key to problems
Barton tells Pickens United meeting SC students being left behind in workforce
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — As Melanie Barton sat listening to the other speakers at a recent Pickens United meeting, she heard them touch on issues that include the economy and jobs, growth, crime, the opioid addiction epidemic and getting prisoners ready for work.
The executive director of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee had the answer.
“Education is the solution to all your problems,” Barton said. “It is a huge issue in South Carolina. It’s time to come to the table, in local communities, then come up to the state (level). I’m really worried where we are as a state.”
The state has more jobs than it has qualified people, she said.
In terms of economic growth and construction, Charleston is booming,
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Pickens chamber plans showcase
PICKENS — The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce is planning its first ever Greater Pickens Business Showcase at the Bargain Exchange Flea Market on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 5-8 p.m.
“This will be our first ever exhibition of this kind, where we will showcase many of our business members, both profit and nonprofit, in a single location,” chamber director Kim Smagala said. “We hope this event takes
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Clemson welcomes largest class in university history
By Tara Romanella
Clemson University
tromane@clemson.edu
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s largest freshman class will begin its collegiate academic journey this week as classes begin for the 2017-18 academic year.
Currently, there are more than 3,650 freshmen scheduled to be on campus, including more than 400 in the Honors College. There also are 1,500 transfer students and 1,450 graduate students enrolled.
Freshman applications increased 12 percent this year with a total of 26,244.
“Our application numbers continue to increase annually and are a direct
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Classes planned at Holly Springs
PICKENS — The newly-opened School of Mountain Arts at the Holly Springs Center will be offering many classes over the next few months.
The pottery, silversmithing, glass mosaics, oral history, Appalachian cooking and dulcimer playing classes have already been taught and gotten rave reviews.
A woodworking studio will be opening soon, with a wood carving class
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Upper SC State Fair in town
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Whether you’re into fun rides or funnel cakes, the 2017 Upper S.C. State Fair promises to have something for everyone.
The fair kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 24, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. The fairgrounds are located at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway at 3800 Calhoun Memorial Highway in Easley.
Opening day Thursday is Canned Food Day. Beginning at 4 p.m., each
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Annual C. David Stone Golf Tourney planned for Oct. 3
PICKENS — The 29th annual C. David Stone Invitational Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Pickens Country Club, located at 1018 Country Club Road in Pickens.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with coffee and biscuits served, and a shotgun start at 9 a.m. An awards luncheon will be provided by Boulevard Catering.
Contests will include hole-in-one, closest to pin and closest to line.
Tournament prizes will be given for first-, second- and third-place teams. For more information, contact Patty Looper at (864) 898-5534.
139th homecoming service scheduled at Mile Creek Baptist
SIX MILE — Mile Creek Baptist Church will host its 139th homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m.
Pastor Kevin Kuykendall and the members of the church invite all community members to worship with them as they celebrate. There will be special singing and preaching, with lunch to follow.
Mile Creek Baptist Church is located at 104 Lakeside Drive in Six Mile.
Family Water Blast set for Prater’s Creek Baptist
PICKENS – The Prater’s Creek Baptist Church will be hosting “Family Water Blast” this Saturday, August 26 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
A meal will be served from 3-4 p.m. to all in attendance. The event will be great fun for all ages. A fire truck is planned to be at the church at 3 p.m.
Bring a towel and come join in for some fun water activities, good fellowship and of course some good food.
Prater’s Creek Baptist Church is located at 621 Prater’s Creek Rd in Pickens. For more information call (864) 868-2300.
