Daily Archives: 08/06/2014
50 years of dedication
Jack Tinsley, left, receives the Half Century Silver Cup from Pickens Savings and Loan president Alex Gettys.
Tinsley honored for half century of
service on PS&L board of directors
PICKENS — Jack Tinsley has played a role in the development of Pickens Savings and Loan for longer than many can remember.
Tinsley was honored recently at the company’s annual meeting with the Half Century Silver Cup by bank president Alex Gettys, an award given by the South Carolina Bankers Association to all employees and directors who have been in banking for 50 years.
Tinsley joined the board of directors of Pickens Savings and Loan on May 15, 1964, joining other directors W. E.
Man found guilty of sex crimes with child at church
PICKENS — A Liberty man was convicted of sex crimes against a minor and sentenced to 32 years in prison last week.
Gary Clifton Hamilton, 56, was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and lewd act with a minor, according to 13th Circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins.
Hamilton must serve at least 85 percent of the 32-year term, or more than 27 years, before he becomes eligible for parole.
According to a news release from Wilkins’ office, assistant solicitors Brandi Batson Hinton and Courtney Landsverk
Alice Mill-area neighbors concerned with scrapyard
By Nikki Rutledge
For The Courier
nrutledge@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — There were nearly a dozen Alice Mill-area residents in attendance at a recent special called Pickens County Council meeting.
Two homeowners from the area, Bonnie Kay and David Little, spoke during public forum and expressed deep concerns over the potential use of the Alice Mill property near Easley.
The property itself was purchased by a company called C&S Recycling that will allegedly turn the site into a scrap-yard.
Residents in the area have several major concerns, including potential decreases in property values, noise and
Pickens City council hears of alleged ‘meth house’
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A group of residents asked Pickens City Council for help in with a neighbor at a meeting Monday night.
Marty Harris served as spokesman for the group. Harris said the neighbor’s property has no gas hook-up, no water connection and no other signs of a normal lifestyle. Harris said he thinks the neighbors are operating a “meth house.”
Harris said the neighbors had been arrested several times.
“They arrest them, then we see them back on the street again,” Harris said. “Quite frankly, we’re tired of it.”
Gospel set for Hagood Mill Aug. 16
PICKENS — The wheel will be turning and the hills resounding in song at Hagood Mill on Saturday, Aug. 16, as “Music in the Mountains 2014” presents an old-time camp meeting sing-along just like our forefathers had 100 years ago.
Bring your lawn chair or blanket to Hagood Mill and be prepared to sing all the familiar old gospel songs with heritage singers.
At 11:30 a.m., the gospel singing session will be led by the Owens family of St Andrews Methodist Church in Easley. The Owens family is part of a rich treasury of gospel songsters from our area, singing together as a family since the 1920s. The members of this historic gospel family are led by their dynamic piano patriarch, Thomas Owens, who
Vendor spots still open for festival
PICKENS — Vendor spaces are still available for the city of Pickens’ third annual Founders Day Music Festival, set for Sept. 13.
According to even organizers, a limited number of booth spaces are available for handmade arts and crafts for the festival, which will be held on West Main Street in downtown Pickens.
Five bands will provide entertainment at the festival this year on the Pickens amphitheater stage throughout the day.
Headliners for the event include Volume Five and DejaBlue Grass Band. Closing out the lineup are the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, The Traveling McCollums and the Blue Flame Bluegrass Band.
The event, which is free and offers fun for the whole family, will begin at 11 a.m. and end at around 9 p.m.
At the end of the evening, all musicians will be invited to take the stage to close the festival.
“We will once again have the big jam to close out the night, and it’s open for anyone who wants to jump on stage and participate,” Pickens music events chairman Daniel Brazinski said. “We also encourage any bluegrass, old-time, country or folk musician to join others in jams throughout the day and evening.”
Founders Day was started in 2012 to celebrate both the musical and cultural heritage of Pickens, featuring much more than just music.
Living history reenactments will be staged with musket, long rifle, and cannon-firing demonstrations. A large number of specially selected vintage vehicles will again be on display as well.
The Hagood-Mauldin House and the Pickens County Museum, where Pickens’ history can really be seen, will be
Quilt design unveiled for annual Pumpkin Festival
PUMPKINTOWN — The 36th annual Pumpkin Festival is rapidly approaching on October 11.
This “Nine Patch” Pumpkin Quilt was designed by Susie Flowers and quilted by Ann Stowe.
As usual, a quilt will be given away at 4 p.m. on the day of the festival. This year’s quilt is a “Nine Patch” Pumpkin Quilt designed by Susie Flowers and quilted by Ann Stowe. Tickets for this year’s quilt are $1 each and will be available at various locations in the Pumpkintown area for the next few weeks, and will also be available in the Oolenoy Community Center the day of the festival. You do not have to be present to win.
The Pumpkintown Community Club, which sponsors the festival meets the second Monday of April, May, June, August, September, October, and November and you are invited to join if you are interested in helping prepare for the festival or help with other community projects.
McDaniel honored with ‘Caring’ award
Betty McDaniel is presented with the “Caring for the Carolinas” Award by News Channel 7’s Jack Roper.
PICKENS — On July 24, during the YAM CAMP week at the Pickens Recreation Facility, Betty McDaniel was chosen for the “Caring for the Carolinas” Award by News Channel 7’s Jack Roper.
Roper presented McDaniel with a keepsake piece while campers, staff and community members watched. She is very deserving of this honor for the many volunteer hours she spends.
McDaniel founded and has served as director of the Young Appalachian Musicians Program for the past six years. The program is supported by a non-profit organization, Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM). She also serves on the board of Hagood Community Center. Within the center is the Pickens Senior Center, where
Pickens Rescue 7 Rodeo set for Friday and Saturday
Local barrel racer Holly Scruggs will be one of the area participants in the Pickens Rescue 7 Rodeo, to be held at the Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market on Friday and Saturday.
PICKENS — Are you ready to see some barrel racing, trick roping and bronco busting? If the answer is yes, then the Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market is the place for you, as Pickens Rescue 7 will host a championship rodeo on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8 and 9.
The event will kick off both days at 8 p.m.
The rodeo will be a fundraiser for Pickens Rescue Squad 7 to help with operating expenses. Many local cowboys and cowgirls will participate in the rodeo..
Rodeo fans will also get the chance to see a special exhibition by nationally renowned roper Jack Fullbright. Fullbright specializes in trick and fancy roping. The Mountain View Baptist Church Youth will be selling concessions.
The rodeo will be produced by the Ernie Treadway Rodeo Company and will be great fun for the entire family.
Annual Mission Action Challenge event scheduled for August 23
EASLEY — The 2014 Mission Action Challenge (MAC) will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, and will once again include cycling events and a popular 5K run through downtown Easley.
Cycling events originating and concluding at Old Market Square will include 63-mile, 40-mile and 20-mile routes as well as a 10-mile family ride. Participants are urged to register online at macforkids.org.
More than 1,000 area children received shoes this year courtesy of the Mission Action Challenge, Easley First Baptist Church, 5 Point Church and Fleet Feet Sports in Greenville.
In total, more than 2,700 pairs of shoes have been distributed since the event’s inception in 2008. A portion of the
