• Clearview to host meeting April 9

Planning to open for the 2018-19 school year, Clearview Collegiate Academy is a charter school serving grades 6-12 who seek the opportunity and challenge of a rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and outstanding athletics in a safe, small setting while earning up to two years of college credit while in high school.
For those interested in hearing more about what Clearview has to offer, a parent forum is scheduled Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Smithfields Country Club, 100 Pine Ridge Drive in Easley. For more information, visit clearviewcollegiateacademy.org or facebook.com/ClearviewCollegiate/.

• Lawrence Chapel plans jewelry sale

Lawrence Chapel will host a vintage collectible jewelry and accessories sale and a bake sale too on Saturday, April 9, starting at 9 a.m. The sale will last until noon. Lawrence Chapel is located at 2101 Six Mile Highway, Central, SC 29630. For more information, call (864) 653-4461.

• Relay for Life set for April 30 at EHS

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer. Baptist Easley Hospital would like to help our community to unit in fighting cancer and celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. With the support of thousands of volunteers like you, the American Cancer Society is helping save more than 500 lives a day. Please join Baptist Easley Hospital and take action against a disease that has taken too much. The event is on Saturday, April 30 from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Easley High School, 154 Green Wave Blvd. in Easley. All Wells Fargo locations in Pickens County are currently accepting donations.

• PHS class of 1956 set to hold reunion

The Pickens High School Class of 1956 is planning a reunion for April 9. It will be a dutch lunch at The Gatehouse Restaurant at the corner of Ann and Griffin streets in Pickens. It will begin at noon. Make your reservations by calling Allison Dalton at (864) 859-4396, Marie Welborn at (864) 878-9124 or Tunkie Stokes at (864) 878-6101.

• Six Mile Farmers Market seeks vendors

The town of Six Mile is looking for vendors at the Six Mile Farmers Depot for the 2016 season. The market starts the third Thursday in April and runs through the last Thursday in September. Vendors may sell plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit and arts and crafts. Cakes, pies, jams and jellies produced in a DHEC-approved kitchen may also be sold. The Six Mile Farmers Market is located on Main Street in Six Mile in the old fire department building next to Town Hall. The market features 18 vendor stations inside and has room outside for several more. If interested, contact market manager Jim Hayes at (864) 650-5078 or james_hayes@sixmilesc.org.

• Pickens Lions plan meetings each month

The Pickens Lions Club is in need of new members. The club meets the first and third Thursday of every month at Pizza Inn in Pickens. Dinner begins at 6:40 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to anyone interested in joining the club or simply finding out more about the club and how it serves Pickens.

As Christians around the world celebrated Christianity’s most important holiday, Secona Baptist Church youth pastor James Lawson led an Easter sunrise service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens at 7 a.m. on Sunday. A Pickens County tradition since 1960, the event was co-sponsored by Hillcrest and the Pickens Ministerial Association. In addition to Lawson’s messages of worship, the service featured live music from the Secona Youth Praise Team.

Rocky Nimmons / Courier

PICKENS — With less than a month remaining before the Pickens Azalea Festival kicks off its 32nd year, the committee responsible for the planning, organizing and ensuring the two-day event runs smoothly continues to bring in new arts and crafts, food vendors and a variety of activities in hopes that each of the more than 20,000 people expected to attend enjoy every moment they spend touring the fun-filled city streets.

According to festival executive director Russ Gantt, the family event will again branch out this year to offer visitors a unique opportunity to see another popular and historical site in Pickens County.

“Grace United Methodist Church and Bowers Transportation Services will again be offering free shuttle bus tours to Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center for anyone wanting to visit the site and participate in the activities occurring there,” Gantt said. “It will be a great opportunity to see Hagood Mill and to get a feel on how folks lived before electricity and other modern conveniences.”

Hagood Mill, an operating gristmill that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in around 1825 and is one of the oldest working mills in South Carolina. Visitors can experience varying arts and crafts of that period, as well as folk life and living history demonstrations, including blacksmithing, cotton ginning, moonshining and open-hearth cooking, in addition to a myriad of traditions native to that century.

The mill’s 20-foot waterwheel is not only the largest in the state, it is also the only one made of wood. Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds, cabins, home, activities and then enjoy a musical performance, held each third Saturday of the month.

Shuttles to the Hagood Mill Historic Site will leave the Azalea Festival grounds at the corner of Main Street and Ann Street from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. during the festival, Gantt said.

“We hope that everyone takes advantage of this chance to see this site that carries so much importance to the history of Pickens County,” Gantt said.

The Azalea Festival will begin Friday evening, April 15, with the annual Classic Car Cruise-In on Main Street. Area streets will be shut down to regular traffic while vehicles of all makes and models line the roadway.

“The Car Cruise-In is a fun way to introduce our kids to the cars we once drove when we ourselves were younger — a lot younger,” Gantt said. “Owners of these classics have put a lot of effort into returning their vehicles to their original grandeur.”

To kick the musical offerings off on Friday night will be the group New Dixie Storm at 6 p.m. on the main stage, located next to the Pickens County Courthouse.

Headlining Friday night’s main stage will be the group Jukebox 45. Billed as Greenville’s No. 1 oldies band, the group brings memories of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s to the stage.

Beginning at 10 a.m. with opening ceremonies on Saturday will present a different venue to the Azalea Festival, as the main thoroughfare in Pickens remains closed to vehicular traffic so artists and craftsmen, a variety of food and refreshment vendors and many scheduled entertainment events, including music, comedy and a pet pageant, replace the classic cars of the night before, Gantt said.

“Our goal is to grow the festival, and this year will prove to be the biggest and best yet,” he said. “Folks can visit the many arts and crafts booths, maybe discovering that unique item for their home or a gift, try an ice cream cone, cotton candy and funnel cake, and enjoy a good lunch or early dinner. And all the while they can listen to music on the main stage next to the Pickens County Courthouse.”

The men and women of the Pickens Fire Department will be bringing back grilled hamburger plates during the festival, Gantt said.

Legacy Square will be home to amusement rides during the two-day event.

The Extraordinaires will headline Saturday night’s entertainment on the main stage.

“April 15 and 16 is going to be a great time to be in Pickens,” Gantt said. “The Azalea Festival will prove to be the best festival now in its 32nd year.”

For more information and a schedule of events, visit pickensazaleafestival.com.

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — An outstanding Pickens High School volleyball stalwart made the next step of her athletic and educational career official Friday morning.

Haley Holcombe signed with Spartanburg Methodist College in the Pickens High School gymnasium as friends, family and coaches looked on.

Holcombe said the Spartanburg Methodist team has really welcomed her in.

“The coach was super sweet,” Holcombe said. “It’s just all like a family over there.”

Holcombe has been playing volleyball since she was in the second grade.

“I played middle from seventh to eighth, then I made varsity and started as a freshman here,” Holcombe said.

Haley Holcombe accepted a volleyball scholarship from Spartanburg Methodist College on Friday morning. Front row, from left: Rex Holcombe, Haley Holcombe, Hannah Holcombe and Rae Holcombe. Back row: Spartanburg Methodist coach Megan Aiello, Pickens coach Jennifer Gravely and Pickens assistant coach Lauren Carlisle.

“It’s been great,” Holcombe said of playing for Pickens. “We’ve always made it to the end of the playoffs, so we’ve always been really good.”

Holcombe hopes to help Spartanburg Methodist win a conference championship.

Spartanburg Methodist College head coach Megan Aiello said Holcombe’s leadership on the court made her stand out.

“Her playing ability speaks for itself,” she said. “I like her leadership, her experience. She’s going to have the ability to come in as a freshman and be a starting setter and contribute immediately for us, so we’re excited for that.”

Aiello has seen Holcombe play on many occasions.

“We’ve had our eye on her for the past several years,” she said. “We’re pretty excited to be able to get her there at Spartanburg Methodist.”

Pickens coach Jennifer Gravely has coached Holcombe for four years on varsity.

“She has been a wonderful addition to our program,” Gravely said. “She has been the reason that we kind of got back on track after a few years of not going far in the playoffs.

During Holcombe’s freshman year, the team made it to the finals, losing to North Myrtle Beach, Gravely said.

“The next two years, we won back-to-back state championships,” Gravely said. “We lost in the Upper State finals last year.”

Holcombe has been a starter for four years, she said.

“She’s played all the way around,” Gravely said. “She’s been a terrific leader.”

Holcombe was a co-captain this season.

It’s rare for a freshman to be a starter, Gravely said.

“I don’t always keep freshmen — it just kind of depends on if they’re going to get to play or not play,” she said. “She had the talent and the skills. She’s just a tremendous blocker, a great setter. I think she’s played the same position in the starting rotation for four years. It’s going to be very different next year.

“It’s just going to be hard to replace her. I’m super excited for her and this opportunity that she has.”

Clemson mayor J.C. Cook recently signed a proclamation proclaiming March 29 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” Pictured the day of the signing are Andrew Pickens Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution regent Mari Nooria and Cook. The proclamation is a way for the area DAR and the City of Clemson say thank you to Vietnam veterans for their service.

PICKENS — The mission of the Steppin’ It Up Coalition is to strengthen a generation of youth in Pickens County who are armed with the knowledge, motivation, and support to combat the temptations of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

The April Steppin’ It Up Coalition Meeting will be held            Monday, April 11, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Pickens Recreation Center, located at 545 Sangamo Road in Pickens.

Meetings are open to anyone interested in educating youth on the dangers and health implications of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure and use.  The Steppin’ It Up Coalition of Pickens County targets youth, parents and other adults who impact where youth get access to drugs and alcohol, and how, why and when they choose to use.

For more information, contact Cathy Breazeale at (864) 898-5800, visit steppinituppickens.org/ or find the group on Facebook or Twitter.

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

• Lawrence Chapel plans jewelry sale

Lawrence Chapel will host a vintage collectible jewelry and accessories sale and a bake sale too on Saturday, April 9, starting at 9 a.m. The sale will last until noon.

Lawrence Chapel is located at 2101 Six Mile Highway, Central, SC 29630. For more information, call (864) 653-4461.

• Classes offered at Hagood Center

New Fiber Room Center activities at the Hagood Center in Pickens have been scheduled for March and April.

On Friday, April 8, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. there will be a one-day Water Color Butterflies workshop with Preston Rausch. Supplies will be provided. Charge is $25. Sample is available in Granger Fiber Arts. To insure an adequate number of supplies is available, please pre-register.

The fiber room committee plans in late March or early April a Sheer Delight Jacket (chenille) classs. Supply list and a sample will be available at a later date.

Below is a list of the center’s regular activities:

Monday: 10-11:30 a.m. — cathedral window quilts with Jacquie. Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — weaving with Pat; 9-11:30 a.m. — doll clothes with Jacquie; 10-11:30 a.m. — yo-yos with Irene and prayer shawls and cancer caps with Sharon (in the library). Wednesday: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. — weaving with Pat (in the heritage room); 10-11:30 a.m. — knitting with Tally. Thursday: 10-11:30 a.m. quilting with Sara; 1:30-3:30 p.m. — rug hooking with Cheryl.

Contact Lucy Harward, (864) 419-1794 or daleandlucy@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments.

• PHS class of 1956 set to hold reunion

The Pickens High School Class of 1956 is planning a reunion for April 9. It will be a dutch lunch at The Gatehouse Restaurant at the corner of Ann and Griffin streets in Pickens.

It will begin at noon. Make your reservations by calling Allison Dalton at (864) 859-4396, Marie Welborn at (864) 878-9124 or Tunkie Stokes at (864) 878-6101.

• Six Mile Farmers Market seeks vendors

The town of Six Mile is looking for vendors at the Six Mile Farmers Depot for the 2016 season. The market starts the third Thursday in April and runs through the last Thursday in September. Vendors may sell plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit and arts and crafts. Cakes, pies, jams and jellies produced in a DHEC-approved kitchen may also be sold. The Six Mile Farmers Market is located on Main Street in Six Mile in the old fire department building next to Town Hall. The market features 18 vendor stations inside and has room outside for several more. If interested, contact market manager Jim Hayes at (864) 650-5078 or james_hayes@sixmilesc.org.

Movie focus Ashley Smith set to appear at Pickens First Baptist Church April 7

PICKENS — The Café Connections of Pickens and Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County will host a special persentation of the motion picture “The Captive” at Pickens First Baptist Church on April 5.

The film is a stirring movie from Paramount Pictures starring Kate Mara of “House of Cards” and “Fantastic Four” and David Oyelowo of “Selma.”

Because of the incredible interest, the movie will be shown in the Fellowship Hall of Pickens First Baptist Church, with showings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The movie portrays the inspirational, news-making life story of Ashley Smith, a young female hostage who in 2005 single-handedly talked infamous Atlanta courthouse killer Brian Nichols into surrendering peacefully by gaining his confidence through her prayers and personal faith and by reading passages to him from the Christian bestseller “The Purpose-Driven Life.”

It is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives. Nichols, on the run as the subject of a citywide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son, takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment. While reading aloud, Smith and her would-be killer each faced crossroads where despair and death intersected hope.

Contrasting the minute-by-minute tale of her experience with the tragedies and triumphs of her own life, “The Captive” is a riveting story that will leave no one untouched.

In March 2005, Smith made headlines around the globe when she miraculously talked her way out of the hands of the killer after he took her hostage for seven hours in her suburban Atlanta apartment. Smith continues to share the details of her traumatic ordeal and expands on how her faith and excerpts from “The Purpose-Driven Life” helped her survive and bring the killer’s murderous rampage to a peaceful end.

Like her captor, Smith too had faced darkness and despair. Seeking a new life, she moved to Atlanta, got a job, enrolled in a medical assistant training program, and was beginning to find her way to becoming the kind of mom she wanted her little girl to have. Then Nichols took her hostage. Just hours earlier, he’d allegedly shot to death a judge, a court reporter, a deputy and a federal agent and escaped in a stolen vehicle. Now she found herself face-to-face with Nichols, a desperate, heavily armed man with nothing left to lose.

Smith’s life changed dramatically on that fateful day of March 11, 2005, when Nichols forced his way into her apartment. After offering Nichols her remaining stash of methamphetamines, she brought out her copy of Rick Warren’s “The Purpose-Driven Life.” During her seven hours as Nichols’ hostage, her life story and Warren’s direction from the book persuaded Nichols to consider how God could use him if he surrendered. He did so the following morning.

Nichols himself called Smith “an angel sent from God,” but ironically, it was her own less-than-angelic past that convinced him to face justice. Smith believes God led her through the highly publicized experience to help “unlikely angels” everywhere find hope.

Afterwards she wrote her best-selling book, “Unlikely Angel – The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Hostage Hero,” donating proceeds to a memorial fund honoring the victims of the Atlanta courthouse tragedy. She returned to the familiar embrace of her family and her daughter, Paige. Smith’s familiar face reaches seekers from all walks of life, and her authentic, quietly courageous testimony exemplifies a genuine, guiding faith.

Smith will also appear in person on Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at Pickens First Baptist Fellowship Hall to share her story and testimony. The event is suitable for ages 13 and older, with parental supervision.

For more information, contact Ann Corbin at the Café Connections by email at cacorbin57@gmail.com or by phone at (864) 201-1772.