CENTRAL — In 2012, Southern Wesleyan University added intercollegiate men’s and women’s tennis teams to its athletic program.

The university then faced the challenge of building [cointent_lockedcontent]a program without the facilities essential for intercollegiate competition. That’s all about to change as construction of their new tennis complex progresses.

Southern Wesleyan University dedicated the Rev. Leroy C. Cox Tennis Complex Oct. 28 on its campus in Central. Pictured from left are Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU’s vice president for advancement; Dr. Thomas Cox, Leroy’s son; and Dr. Todd Voss, SWU president.

Rainy weather has created delays during construction, and rain was forecast for Oct. 28, the dedication date, but the university proceeded with a ceremony inside the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center, overlooking the tennis complex.

The facility was named for Rev. Leroy C. Cox, a SWU alumnus who served numerous Wesleyan congregations and recently passed away. His family’s generous support is helping to make the new facility possible. Dr. Thomas Cox honored the memory of his father, Rev. Cox, by gifting to the university in this meaningful and lasting way.

Dr. Cox, a pediatric dentist and SWU alumnus, shared about how his father was known for his friendliness and optimism.

“He would pick out the positive things about others,” Thomas said, adding that there was a balance to his father’s optimism. He recalled telling his father that he pitched a shutout and hit two home runs at a baseball game, to which Leroy responded “that’s great son. I’m so proud of you,” and then quoted scripture to his son, “But let he that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall.” Thomas reflected on how that verse helped him in the midst of dental school.

SWU President Todd Voss said the tennis complex will benefit not only the tennis teams but also students and tennis enthusiasts in the surrounding community. He added that building a tennis complex also follows through on a NCAA recommendation as the university continues in its membership process as a new conference member.

“These courts are not ours. These courts are meant for this community — this town, this county, this region — these courts are meant to be used,” Voss said. Dr. Charles Joiner, chairman of SWU’s board of trustees, expressed gratitude to the Cox family for leaving a legacy.

Chris Williams, director of athletics, said that the tennis complex “demonstrates forward momentum of our athletic program.” He thanked the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) for their involvement in this project. He also praised the city of Clemson for allowing the teams to use Nettles Park for matches and practices. Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU’s vice president for advancement, and Williams thanked Passpointe Engineering, J.W. White Consulting LLC, Fowler Corp., Competitive Athletic Surfaces, Baseline Sports, Metrocon and Southern Wesleyan’s physical plant — all instrumental in the $560,000 project.

“This tennis complex is just one example of how our Heavenly Father has called us to be a contagiously generous institution,” McWherter said. “This complex will be open to the public, accessible to our friends with disabilities and special needs, as well as to our youth; These courts have been specifically designed to welcome each and all.”

Two tennis courts within the complex were named — one in honor of Tim Newton, an avid tennis player who grew up at the Central campus and whose family has close ties to the university; the other court was named in honor of Dr. Joe Brockinton, SWU’s vice president for student life.

Newton grew up in Central and learned to play tennis on the campus as a child. His tennis playing roots are grounded at SWU.

Jay Moss praised Newton, his great uncle, who at 89 still plays tennis almost daily. He also recognized Newton’s World War II service and expressed thanks to all veterans present at the ceremony. Moss is also the great-grandson of John F. Childs, a former president of what is now SWU.

Newton expressed thanks to his sister, Faith Newton Hobson, for her contribution to name the court for him. He also recalled getting to know Leroy, who was about the same age.

“Leroy made you feel like you were the most important person he had met when he was talking to you,” Newton said.

Brockinton, himself a former member of Asbury University’s Tennis Team, was surprised by the honor given him by his the university and his family members. He commented that tennis helped him to learn what it meant to compete and to win.

SWU Tennis Coach Darrell Jernigan said he now has a platform for a Christian witness. He praised members of his team who come from several states as well as from South America and Africa and the ministry that’s taking place within the tennis program.

Pickens County Council Member Trey Whitehurst, who represents District 3, commented that, whenever he would drive from his work at Greenville, on the way home he would pass through the SWU campus “because I want to see what’s happening on your campus.”

“There’s energy in this room. There are changes to come,” said Mac Martin, mayor of Central, expressing gratitude for the town’s partnership with SWU. Phillip Mishoe, Central town administrator, said “This isn’t a sacrifice, it’s an opportunity. It starts with President Voss and the board and ends with the kids. It’s a tough sell to recruit students to a university without a tennis court.”

Clemson City Council member Tim Fowler sees the tennis complex as having “great economic impact.”

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CENTRAL — With an energetic, urban gospel vibe, the members of the Southern Wesleyan University Gospel Choir minister God’s love wherever they go.

[cointent_lockedcontent]According to Dr. Justin Carter, associate vice president for student life and an advisor to the choir, God continues to open exciting new opportunities for the choir.

The members of the Southern Wesleyan University Gospel Choir minister God’s love wherever they go.

Carter has seen the Gospel Choir reorganized as its meambers experience spiritual growth.

A few years agao, SWU student Chynna Rae Douglas sought to bring the choir back. Betty Walker, a university admissions counselor who passed away a few years ago, led an earlier gospel choir.

Carter helped grow the choir from a discipleship group to an official student organization. He said the choir began with just a few singers and no musicians – and they knew one song, which they sang a capella in chapel. Douglas soon found musicians willing to accompany the singers. A couple of times a year, the choir would go and sing at the home churches of choir members. They would eventually be visiting a different church nearly every Sunday. During Spring Semester 2013 the Gospel Choir had their first concert at Folger Fine Arts Auditorium, which attracted about 50 people.

In early 2014, the Rev. Joe Moss, a member of Central’s town council who also conducts a prison ministry, invited the Gospel Choir to lead musical worship in a Sunday worship service at Pickens County’s correctional facility. About a hundred prisoners attended, and two of them gave their lives to Christ.

As the choir members minister, they are blessed also.

“For me, Gospel Choir is a way to mix having fun with praising God and I get to do it with some of the coolest people,” said Miranda Hill, a religion major from Goldsboro, N.C.

Danny Hall, a special education major from Seneca, plays keyboard and serves as the choir’s musical director. He says the Gospel Choir is like a “second family” and is a welcome escape from the pressures of his studies.

Shy’Keya Wimberly, a criminal justice major from Smith Station, Ala., loves coming to Gospel Choir practice after dinner, saying “before I came here, I ate. I’m physically full. Now I’m coming to get spiritually full.”

Curtis Burkhalter, who was raised on the mission field in Brazil, says being in the Gospel Choir gives him a “neat experience” exposing him to a uniquely American form of worship and culture.

“I get a lot of joy and fun out of singing different kinds of music with different kinds of people,” said Patrick Hampton, a secondary music education major from Spartanburg who is the choir’s voice director.

Carter and the Rev. Dave Tolan, SWU’s missions mobilizer, are currently organizing a trip that will take the choir throughout Haiti. They are currently raising support for 15 choir members’ travel expenses plus the purchase of musical instruments and sound equipment they will donate to a local church.

SWU’s Sigma Delta chapter raised more than $300 at a car wash in September, and Carter said choir members plan several fundraisers and a letter-writing campaign to raise additional funds.

For details about the SWU Gospel Choir or to donate, contact Carter at (864) 644-5144 or email jcarter@swu.edu.[/cointent_lockedcontent]

SIX MILE — Six Mile Baptist Church and Prater’s Creek Baptist Church are joining together to host the seventh annual “Feast-O-Plenty” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.

[cointent_lockedcontent]Last year, approximately 300 people joined the churches for the dinner, and this year organizers are hoping to share with even more.

The meal will be served in the Roper Building, located at 150 N. Main St. in Six Mile.

The event is a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone living in and around the Town of Six Mile. A traditional holiday meal of turkey, dressing and gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread, desserts and drinks will be served dine-in.

“We look forward to getting to know you and your needs, and what better way to do that than over a hot plate of home-cooked Thanksgiving food,” read a news release from Six Mile Baptist Church.

Additionally, delivery is available for home-bound local residents by calling 868-2392 or 506-0410. A maximum of two meals will be delivered to a single residence/address.

The meal is being sponsored by the two churches as an outreach caring for the people in the Six Mile community.

Those who need a ride to the event or who have other questions may call the numbers listed above to arrange transportation or find out more.

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• Six Mile plans 45th Christmas parade

The Town of Six Mile will hosts its 45th annual Christmas parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The parade was started by a group of youth from Six Mile Baptist Church with the help of Dora Jane (Boggs) Duncan and has been an annual tradition ever since.

There is no entry fee. All entries must have a Christmas theme.

To enter the parade, or for more information, contact Duncan at (864) 868-2349.

• 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.

• Praters Creek plans community fest

Praters Creek Baptist Church is planning a community festival on Nov. 21 from 2-7 p.m.

The event will offer food from 4-5 p.m. the day of the festival.

The church will have lots of games and entertainment for everyone. All are welcome to join for food, fun and fellowship.

Praters Creek Baptist Church is located at 621 Praters Creek Road in Pickens.

EASLEY — Easley Business and Professional Women will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 12:30 p.m.

The meeting will be at Fatz Café in Easley. Guest speaker is Cindy Perry of the Pickens YMCA.

Perry will share the Mentor Pickens program and opportunities for service and support.

Lunch is $10. RSVP by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to Lynne Mathis at lmathis@marshbell.com or by calling (864) 295-2728.

• Sarlin to present an evening with Wright

The Friends of the Sarlin Library are thrilled to host an evening with award-winning graphic artist Emily Wright on Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m.

Wright, who is employed by the Pickens County Courier, is the recipient of more than 75 Palmy Awards in South Carolina Press Association’s annual contest. Library officials said they are honored to have her share her journey that began as a child with “doodles on birthday cards” to her role, now, in the newspaper business, as the department head of graphic design since 2007.

• Steppin’ It Up Coalition to meet

The Steppin’ It Up Coalition will hold its monthly meeting on Nov. 9. The meeting will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the City of Pickens Recreation Department, 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.

For more information about the Steppin’ It Up Coalition, contact Cathy Breazeale at (864) 898-5800 or visit steppinituppickens.org.

PICKENS — Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens will host its annual fall bazaar and luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 12.

The event will start at 7 a.m. Admission to the bazaar is free. A turkey and dressing lunch will be available for only $10 and will be served between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The dining room and Carryout will close promptly at 1:30 p.m. The lunch will be dine-in or carryout. Delivery service is available for four or more plates and within a five-mile radius of the church. Call the church office at (864) 878-2161 for tickets or a delivery.

The bazaar will include baked goods, candy, handmade jewelry, handmade crafts, wood crafts, holiday items, homemade jams, jellies, pickles and the like.

Grace United Methodist Church is located at 309 E. Cedar Rock St. in Pickens.