Daily Archives: 11/10/2015
Vet Tech Adoption Day scheduled at Tri-County
UPSTATE — Tri-County Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Department will hold a Pet Adoption Day Thursday, Nov. 19, from 2-6 p.m. at Halbert Hall on the Pendleton Campus.
The dogs are trained with basic commands on a gentle leader head collar and socialized with many people. The cats are handled constantly for socialization and enjoy play time together. All animals have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
There is a $45 fee payable at the time of adoption. This fee includes a microchip and registration.
For more details and pictures of the animals up for adoption, go to tctc.edu and click on Upcoming Events, then click Pet Adoption.
For more information, contact Ashley Brady at (864) 646-1547.
Southern Wesleyan dedicates new Rev. Leroy C. Cox Tennis Complex
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 a program without the facilities essential for intercollegiate competition. That’s all about to change as construction of their new tennis complex progresses.
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.”Hethanked the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) for their involvement in this project. He also praisedthe 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.
“This isn’t a sacrifice, it’s an opportunity,” Central town administrator Phillip Mishoe said. “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.”
A future phase, dependent on donor funding, will add to the complex a championship court, complete with “court specific” spectator seating. This dedication event was hosted by SWU’s Advancement office. For details about the Rev. Leroy C. Cox Tennis Complex or about future expansion at SWU, contact McWherter at (864) 644-5006.
‘Mock trial’ at SWU raises legal awareness
A classroom became a courtroom recently as Southern Wesleyan University students gained insight into the legal system and how it 
works. District 3 State Rep. Gary Clary of Pickens County took on the role of judge for a “mock trial,” in which students played roles that included plaintiff and defense attorneys, jurors, witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants. Two of the students commented later that the mock trial provided a “real-life learning experience.” The exercise, a fictitious court case, was part of a business law class. Clary, who is a retired judge, commented that the students were well prepared and did a good job.
Cannon Auxiliary announces 2015-16 executive officers
PICKENS — Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary announced a new slate of officers at its Nov. 5 meeting.
Officers are president, Linda Aultman, vice president and interim[cointent_lockedcontent]
Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary announced its new slate of officers. Pictured, from left, are corresponding secretary Sue Childs, president Linda Aultman, treasurer Linda Haney and vice president and recording secretary Barbara Woolsey.
recording secretary Barbara Woolsey, treasurer Linda Haney and corresponding secretary Sue Childs.
The CMH Auxiliary began on May 29, 1967, when several Pickens residents formed a group to support the hospital. Through the foresight of the original 51 charter members, whose simple purpose was “to serve the hospital,” a great working relationship between the hospital and the Pickens community was forged.
The relationship is still strong and growing. Today’s volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or older, able to work 20 hours annually, and interested in helping Cannon Hospital and its commitment to provide quality healthcare in a safe, competent and compassionate manner. If you are interested in volunteering at Cannon, applications can be obtained from the front lobby of Cannon, or by contacting the Community Relations Department at (864) 898-1252.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Meeting ancestors, continued
When we walked through the door into our grandmother’s house on York Street, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Grandmother and the aunts drinking coffee in the parlor. We remembered the layout of the house, as Mama had taken us to visit several times during our childhood.[cointent_lockedcontent]
The ceilings are very high, and there’s a fireplace in almost every room. The front parlor, living room and dining room are on the right, and there are wide double wooden doors that slide back into the wall between each room. They’d slide all the doors open, creating one long open room, for parties. At Christmas, they’d have more than 100 people to dinner. Grandmama and the aunts would have a huge roast, as well as a ham and the largest turkey in existence. Everyone else brought a covered dish, and the long extended dining room table would be loaded. We remembered sitting on the stairs in the hall to eat and being all dressed up.
The law firm now housed there has restored the rooms to their original beauty so the house looks almost the same as we remembered. I remembered one story our grandmother had told us about her father, Horatio Cornick Hoggard, known to all as Bunny. She had a portrait of him in his Confederate uniform hanging over the fireplace in her bedroom. We wondered what had happened to it, and the attorney told us we should check the Norfolk Library, as there were several books about the Hoggard family there. So that was our next stop.
Some very helpful ladies at the library brought out one volume of the book about the Hoggards, and there we found Bunny Hoggard in his uniform. There was also a copy of a letter he’d written his oldest son explaining what was going on at the time the picture was taken.
A few pages over in the book, we found a photograph of our grandmother as a pretty young girl with her thick, curly hair piled on top of her head and tied up with a ribbon. The best surprise of all was the picture of our granddaddy taken in 1929. We’d never seen a picture of him, and it was thrilling. He’d been a surgeon in the public health service and was in uniform. We thought him very handsome.
But there was little information about him or his family. His name was Mathew Kemp Gwynn. We’d been told he was the one who added the e to the last name because of a problem with the mail, as he had three brothers who were also Dr. Gwynns and the mail was constantly being delivered to the wrong brother.
By then, we were exhausted and decided to call it a day. Because the next morning we were going to Gwynn’s Island, where we believed the Gwynn family started out in Virginia.
Gwynn’s Island is about 80 miles from Norfolk, and we arrived there mid-morning. There’s a long bridge connecting the island to the mainland, and we saw we were in a place where everything was centered upon the water. Upon driving onto the island, population 900, we were struck by its unspoiled beauty.
We made our first stop at the Gwynn’s Island Museum. We caught them open, and when my brother introduced himself as Matt Gwynne, the curator immediately called several people knowledgeable about the family to come to the museum. We spent a wonderful morning learning about our family and met some warm and hospitable people.
Hugh Gwynn had settled the island around 1640, and according to the information in the museum’s genealogy files, our grandfather was a direct descendant. We also found a letter written by his grandmother to one of his uncles during the Civil War describing conditions at home. She had sent shirts she’d made to all her sons and wanted to know if they fit.
No matter the century or circumstances, mothers always do their best to keep their children clothed and fed, and it was moving to know she was one of those mothers.
Once again, I must continue this story next week.
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Native American celebration planned at the Hagood Mill
PICKENS — In observance of Native American Heritage Month, the Hagood Mill Historic Site will hold a special day of milling, memories and a Native American celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21.
[cointent_lockedcontent]The mill will be operating, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site will also be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
A Native American celebration is planned at the Hagood Mill Historic Site in Pickens on Nov. 21
There is a $5 parking fee for the day, but admission is free. All proceeds from parking will go to help the Hagood Mill.
The annual event celebrates local Native American history and influences. A number of groups will be represented, including individuals born and raised here, as well as those who have made South Carolina their home.
Visitors and guest performers will participate in the festivities of the day, which will include traditional drumming, singing, dancing, Native American flute playing, storytelling, Cherokee hymns in the Cherokee language and many traditional crafts.
Demonstrations will be going on all day throughout the mill site and will include traditional Cherokee blow-gun demonstrations, traditional pottery making, beadwork, basket making, flint-knapping, finger-weaving and bow and arrow shooting. Many of the participants will have traditional handmade crafts for sale as well.
Featured performers for the event will include the Nu Nu Hi Warriors (Immortal Warriors) representing the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. This group will be led by Cherokee cultural ambassador Sonny Ledford. Ledford has been a longtime member of the “Warriors of AniKituhwa,” a group dedicated to preserving Eastern Cherokee culture and most notable for recreating the traditional War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance of their ancestors.
Other performers include the Keepers of the Word drumming group from St. George. Members of Keepers of the Word are of Ojibwa, Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Catawba and Wassamasaw tribal heritage from Colleton, Berkeley, Dorchester, Orangeburg and Sumter counties. Directed by Cathy Nelson, “The Drum” has presented a variety of Native American educational programs, as well as spiritual formation seminars and retreats throughout the Southeastern region.
Visitors and guests will also be delighted by the performance of the Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow Native American dance team on Nov. 21. Members of the Blue Ridge Council, the Order of the Arrow has been studying and performing Cherokee dances for many years. They perform at Camp Old Indian during the summer, along with camp staff members, each Wednesday night as part of the camp family night program. They also perform Cherokee dances during Order of the Arrow conclaves each spring, as well as at other scouting events throughout the year.
Native American flute music of different styles and tribes will be presented along with songs in Cherokee performed by the Reedy River Intertribal Singers
Dr. Will Goins, chief executive officer of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina will be present to interpret Native American culture.
Demonstrations of food-way traditions such as stone grinding of cornmeal, cooking fry-bead and roasting corn will take place throughout the day.
The Crawford collection of local prehistoric stone points, blades and tools will be on display for the day, as well as their popular pre-historic cooking demonstration using soapstone bowls. The mill site’s regular flintknapper, Steve Compton, will be showing how stone tools and weapons were made.
There will be a special “children’s corner,” where visitors can make a beaded necklace and have their face painted in a Native American style. For a special treat, the Dan Buckheister family and the Twelve Mile Indian Horse Association will be on site with their Spanish Colonial horses that are actually descended from the first horses brought to the continent by the Spanish. Children will be allowed to “paint” the horses with their hand prints in the style of the Plains Indians and much more.
There will be lots of other things to see as Hagood Mill hosts a variety of folk life and traditional arts demonstrations. There will be blacksmithing, bowl-digging, flint knapping, chair-caning, moonshining, broom-making, basket-making, pottery, quilting, spinning, knitting, weaving, woodcarving, bee keeping, metal-smithing, leather-working and more. Visitors can ask questions of the artists and make a purchase of their traditional arts to take home.
The Hagood Mill is located at 138 Hagood Mill Road.
For more information, contact the Hagood Mill at (864) 898-2936 or check out visitpickenscounty.com/calendar.
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Keowee Lodge No. 79 golf tourney winners
The annual Keowee Golf Classic, sponsored by Keowee Lodge No. 79 A.F.M., was recently held at the Pickens County Country Club. Pictured below are the winning team members: [cointent_lockedcontent]Kevin McGee, Derrick Johnson, Brent Privaite and Mike Childress.
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Letters to the Editor 11-11-15
Thank you from the Isaac’s family
Dear Editor,
The family of Coach Bill Isaacs would like to thank everyone who has responded to the tragic events of Sept. 14. The support received from the Blue Flame community and the friends and supporters from near and a far has been a tremendous blessing.
[cointent_lockedcontent]There was so much support in respect to food, visits, calls, cards, flowers, security (DNR), the use of Bruce Field by the City of Pickens, the field preparation by an unknown group of supporters and prayers. It is almost impossible to note everyone who contributed to this support, as many things were done unknown to the family. Many dropped things by the house without even leaving a name, and for that reason, Peggy, Crystal and Mike wanted to publically issue an heartfelt “thank you” for all that was done to support them during this tragic event.
This support exemplifies the reason Bill chose coaching and dedicate his life and life’s work to this profession and to the Pickens High School Blue Flame. The outpouring of support shows he made an impact on many families’ lives, which would make his life complete.
Again, thank you to everyone who has and continues to be there for support. Although this event was horrific in itself, God continues to provide and point out the reasons why Bill and Peggy chose the Pickens community.
Harvey Gantt
Bill Isaacs’ son-in-law,
on behalf of the family
Questioning hospital med charges
Dear Editor,
On July 16, I was in the emergency room at Easley Baptist Hospital for needed care for about six hours. During this time, I had chest x-rays, blood work, CT scan, EKG and other services. Total charges came to $6,317.75.
I have Medicare and also plan F of a supplemental insurance, which pays the 20 percent that Medicare doesn’t pay.
After two calls telling me I still owed $259.75 for self-administered meds, I asked for a printout of all charges. I did not know the charges were for self-administered meds until I finally got the printouts. The two calls were very insistent that I pay this $259.75 immediately.
When I received the printout, the amount I owed had been reduced to $51.95. As shown on this printout, the charges were for the self-administered meds. They were two 325 mg acetaminophen tablets at $3.88 each and two 250 mg azithromycin tablets at $126 each. After a medication adjustment, this $259.75 was reduced to $51.95.
I can purchase a bottle of 100 acetaminophen for less than $10. As to the azithromycin, which requires a prescription, I can purchase a Z-Pak containing several tablets for $60 or there about. Why should this medicine be classified as self-administered? You need a prescription to obtain it.
Even after the adjustment of $207.80, I feel I have to pay an outrageous price for the meds. A person from the hospital said that is just what they charge.
My advice: if you go to the ER or you’re admitted to the hospital, refuse to take so-called self-administered drugs. I still think we (the public) are being taken advantage of.
Max Wilson
Pickens
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Courier Community Calendar 11-11-15
• 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 [cointent_lockedcontent] 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.
• 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.
• Prater 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.
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Easley takes down Greenville in finale
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Easley’s Will Drawdy plows through Greenville defenders during the Green Wave’s win over the Red Raiders on Friday night.
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Easley Green Wave finished the regular season on a high note Friday night on their home turf, giving first-year head coach John Windham and the Wave a winning season (6-5) and maybe even a playoff berth with a 34-15 victory over conference foe Greenville.
Easley’s Derrick Phillips runs past a Greenville defender during their game on Friday night.
The Wave dominated the line of scrimmage, whipping Greenville with their ground game and great offensive and defensive line play. Easley ran the ball 51 times for 263 yards, compared to the Raiders’ 30 rushes for only 114 yards.
The flooding across the state last month has put Windham’s squad in limbo until all games are made up this Friday night around the state. The games will determine if and where the Wave will land for the AAAA playoffs.
The game with Greenville started with the Wave defense quickly halting the Raiders and forcing them to punt without allowing a first down.
Windham had his offense ready to play.
Starting at their own 40-yard line, the Green machine went to work and produced an eight-play drive that saw hard running by Malaki Robinson, Ethan Myers and Zack Mode. The backs combined for 35 yards on seven carries. Easley quarterback Dalton Black capped the drive with a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Sean-Thomas Faulkner for the Wave’s first points of the night. Josh Hansen added the extra point to put Easley out front 7-0.
Easley defender Daniel Hine picked off Greenville quarterback Carson Spiers to end the Raiders’ next possession, but the Green Wave were forced to try a field goal that sailed wide left after reaching as far as the Greenville 5-yard line.
The Red Raiders went to work after the miss and mounted a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ate 6:25 from the clock. Spiers connected on an eight-yard scoring toss to John Krall, who then added a two-point conversion to give his team an 8-7 lead with 5:35 left in the half.
The teams swapped interceptions on their next two possessions, with Easley getting the ball last on a pick by Ta’von Hicks that give his team the ball at its own 20-yard line.
With their backs against the wall, the Wave produced an 80-yard drive highlighted by a 36 yard completion from Black to Carter Wiles that took the ball all the way down to the Greenville 36-yard line. From there it was all rushing yards, and Will Drawdy led the way, including the final four yards for the touchdown. Hansen nailed the point-after attempt, giving his team a 14-8 lead at the half.
The Wave continued to dominate in the second half, scoring first on a six-play, 74-yard series. Drawdy continued to be the workhorse, picking up 29 yards on four runs. The touchdown came though the air, as Black spied Tyrese Bradley open and the wide out went 44 yards for the score. Hansen hit the PAT, pushing the Easley lead to 21-8.
Greenville finally got back on the board to start the fourth quarter, but the touchdown seemed to ignite the Wave, and Windham’s team drove the final nails into the Raiders’ coffin with a pair of drives that ended in Easley touchdowns.
The first score came on a nine-yard run by Mode, and the second came on a three-yard run from Myers.
Now the Green Wave will play the waiting game, as the final AAAA games of the season are played this Friday night. Following those contests, points will be tallied and the Wave will find out their fate.
