WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Easley High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) completed its annual trip to the nation’s capital on November 20 after three days of hands-on learning.

Following an 11-hour bus ride, the cadets’ first stop on the educational field trip was the United States Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va. Upon arrival in Annapolis, Md., the cadets checked on to yard patrol craft (YP-676 & YP-677) which would be their sleeping arrangements for the next three nights. Each craft can accommodate, in tight quarters, 30 people and is very cost effective.

Thursday started with a tour of the Capitol building, followed by pictures and questions with South Carolina senior senator Lindsey Graham. A stop in the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History to see the Star Spangled Banner that was flown at Fort McHenry on September 13-14 of 1814 when the British tried to invade Baltimore was next on the agenda. Visits to the Holocaust Museum, World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial all came next to complete the Washington, D.C. portion of the field trip.

Stopping the British invasion at Baltimore played a vital role in maintaining the freedom of the United States of America. Visiting Fort McHenry is a priority stop on the trip and brings to life the Naval Science 2 curriculum of Maritime History taught in the NJROTC program. The visitors’ center at Fort McHenry displays a film depicting Dr. Beanes and the events that led up to the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Easley’s NJROTC cadets helped the Park Rangers change out the after-hours 50-star 13-stripe flag to the daily 15-star 15-stripe flag, a replica of the flag flown in 1814.

Easley’s’ NJROTC Color Guard assisted with the opening ceremonies at the United States Naval Academy ice hockey game against Drexel Friday night and received many compliments from both staff and fans. Most cadets have never seen an ice hockey game and were so excited that they were the leading cheerleaders of the game, keeping the bleachers rocking! Navy lost in overtime, 4-3.

The trip was made possible by chaperones Melissa Little, Natasha Page and Laura Welsh. Support from YP Operations & the Blue Jacket Café also make this trip happen. The folks at the Fort McHenry National Monument also helped this trip be a success with the in-depth description of the battle and the hands on flag handling.

“Thank you all,” said Easley High NJROTC instructor Chief Mark Stauder.

The cadets that accumulated enough support points and chose to participate in the field trip were Richard Baehser, David Berryhill, Christopher Bishop, Jeffery Budesheim, Jacob Churray, Tyler Cummings, Hunter Dodd, Destinee Gilbert, Nathaniel Godfrey, Denton Griffin, Saudra Haire, Conner Hillegas, Andrew Jonakin, Ericka Jordan, Catlyn Lavigne, Ashley Little, Lauren Machen, Breana Manley, Austin Martin, Micharl Mayfield, Joshua McFadden, Dylan Norris, Jonathan Presley, Guner Raby, Shania Ramey, Rodney Rampey, Brittney Scurry, Steven Smith, Emily Thompson, Erica Thompson, Whitney Tripp, Thomas Trotter, Brett Vileikis, Brittney Vileikis, Candace Ward, Leland Welsh, Kaitlyn Williams, Jack R. Young.

Cutline for Photo:

Easley NJROTC cadets help raise the daily flag at Fort McHenry in Baltimore during their recent trip to the nation’s capital.

PICKENS — An 8-year-old Pickens child is safe following an ordeal in which she was taken from her mother and transported out of state.

Donnie Lee Shelton, 46, of 124 Sunset Drive in Pickens, has been arrested and charged in the incident.

According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home on Ravenwood Lane in Pickens about a domestic disturbance at the residence. Deputies believe that on Monday at around 6 p.m., a man came to the home and kicked in the door. The victim told officers it was her ex-husband and that she had been separated from him for a year and a half. She also told deputies that she had an order of protection on her ex-husband and provided documents to deputies.

Deputies say the victim then said the man entered the home that she and her two children shared and grabbed the couple’s 8-year-old daughter and left.

Warrants were issued for Shelton, and he was charged with violation of custody order, assault and battery first degree, criminal domestic violence, trespassing and burglary.

An Amber alert was issued by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The alert was canceled after officers with the Corbin City (Ken.) Police called local authorities and said that Shelton had been arrested at a local hospital. Officers say that Shelton had taken the girl to the emergency room of the hospital after the child had complained of stomach pain. The child is now back with her mother, authorities say.

Shelton is currently being held in Kentucky. No date for extradition has been set, according to the PCSO.

PICKENS — An Easley man was shot by Pickens County sheriff’s deputies last Wednesday after deputies say he pointed a handgun at them.

In a release from the PCSO, deputies said they responded to a domestic call at 1574 Reece Mill Road in Pickens at about 7 p.m. on November 17.

Once on the scene, deputies encountered a man outside the residence of his estranged wife armed with a handgun.

Officers say that during the next hour and a half, deputies tried to negotiate with the subject to put the gun down and go with them and family to the hospital for help.

According to the release, the man repeatedly told officers that he was “going to end it all” and they would have to kill him.

As the man became more agitated, deputies attempted to use a less lethal tactic of discharging a beanbag round in an effort to subdue the subject. After the beanbag round stunned the man, he fled and pointed his handgun at the officers, who fired in response.

After the man fell to the ground with gunshot wounds, deputies began to administer first aid until EMS arrived. The man was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Follow medical treatment, Jeffrey Wayne Petit, 36, of 109 Meredith Court in Easley, was charged with three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm at a person.

Following normal procedure, SLED was notified and is conducting an investigation.

By Nicole Daughhetee

Staff Reporter

nicole@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, many people are thinking about celebrations, family feasts, shopping, gift giving, traveling or snuggling with loved ones by a cozy fire. According to the most recent US Census data, 16.5 percent of the people in Pickens County are currently living below the poverty level, and, realistically, this figure is even higher when you consider the number of people who might not have participated in the census survey.

During the economic crisis that has and continues to plague our country, there are many people, families and children who will not be planning holiday celebrations because they are focused on ensuring that their most basic of needs — shelter, food, clothing and warmth throughout the winter months —  are met.

Fortunately for many, there are organizations in Pickens County that were established and designed to help those in need. United Christian Ministries, located at 303 Dacusville Highway, in Easley, is one such organization working diligently to help struggling people in Pickens County.

Founded in 1989, United Christian Ministries (UCM) was developed as an extension of the local churches to serve people in need. UCM is an emergency assistance program that works in cooperation with Clemson Community Care, located in Clemson, and receives support from churches, the United Way of Pickens County, various different businesses and organizations, and generous individuals who support their ministry.

In times of crisis, many individuals and families look to churches for assistance because churches function to minister to others. UCM was created so that those in need would have a central location to visit for assistance instead of going from church to church. UCM has a dedicated team of volunteers who are able to focus their time specifically on this ministry, where before this duty often fell on the shoulders of church secretaries who already have full-time responsibilities to church operations.

Teresa Nash, Executive Director of United Christian Ministries, explained that UCM partnered with the Samaritan Health Clinic (a clinic that provides health care and prescription assistance to the uninsured in Pickens County), under the umbrella of the Good Samaritan Alliance, and the marriage of locations and ministries has been beneficial to the people of Pickens County. As partner agencies, they are able to refer people to one another and work to meet as many emergency needs as possible.

“If an individual has needs beyond the scope of services we offer, we refer them to the appropriate agency. We have a great working relationship with the United Way of Pickens County as well as their partner agencies. There is a real spirit of cooperation between agencies which makes it easier to meet the needs of the people we serve,” said Nash.

Emergency food assistance is the primary service offered at UCM. In addition to addressing hunger issues, UCM also helps people with utilities, clothing, rent and specific types of life sustaining medications. Food assistance is, and has always been paramount to UCM’s ministry, because if a person does not have to worry about whether or not she is going to be able to feed herself or her family, or if she does not have to put what money she does have toward food, her resources can be used elsewhere — perhaps for rent, electricity or heat.

Many of the people UCM serves live on fixed incomes, are unemployed, or live below the poverty level. In addition to emergency food and financial assistance, Nash says that she and her staff try to offer financial counseling and money management. In order for an individual to qualify for help at UCM, he must show proof of all home income, social security cards, picture identification and proof on need in the form of a past due bill or eviction notice.

“We don’t want people to feel like we are prying into their personal business, but at the same time, UCM has a responsibility to be good stewards of the funding we use to operate. We have a responsibility to make sure that the people who need help are receiving help,” said Nash.

There is no doubt that UCM is ministering to those in need. Fiscal reports from FY 2009-2010 show that UCM made food donations in excess of 125,000 pounds and offered direct financial assistance in the amount of over $140,000. While the screening process for those seeking assistance is essential, Nash says her staff would prefer to “err on the side of compassion rather than judgment.”

Financial hardships have hit everyone, and UCM is no exception. In their latest newsletter, UCM reports that financial contributions in 2010 are running $40,000 behind where they were at this time last year. As a non-profit agency, United Christian Ministries depends on the generosity of others to minister to those people in need.

Even in these bleak economic times, Nash remains hopeful and thankful. “As a person of faith, I am not ‘Chicken Little’ and the sky is not falling!” she says. “I am praising God for all He has provided for UCM and giving thanks to Him that we have in no way reduced our services to people in need.”

United Christian Ministries is always in need of non-perishable food items, paper products (like toilet paper, diapers, wipes), clothing, blankets, and, of course, any financial donations are welcomed. Anyone interested in making a contribution to this ministry can do so by contacting Teresa Nash at United Christian Ministries, PO Box 1774, Easley, SC 29642 or by phone (864) 855.0853. In addition to these donations, UCM also has a variety of volunteer opportunities for those who want to give their time to this ministry.

Anyone in need of emergency assistance can contact UCM at the same phone number listed above or by visiting UCM at 303 Dacusville Highway in Easley. Hours of operation for UCM are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-noon.  UCM staff asks people to arrive early so they can be interviewed and served prior to their noon closing time.

EASLEY — Easley Boy Scout Troop 37 has a new Eagle Scout.
Brandon Bryant, a former senior at Easley High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Gene Bryant, received his Eagle Scout Rank on November 14 to become the 75th
Eagle Scout for Troop 37. Bryant’s involvement in Scouting has spanned seven
years starting in Easley’s Cub Scout Pack 130 in 2003 where he worked to achieve
the Arrow of Light award in 2004. He joined Troop 37 in April of 2004 advancing
through the required seven Boy Scout ranks to Eagle Scout. Along the way, Bryant became
a member of the Order of the Arrow in 2006, hiked more than 42 miles, camped out 68
nights, and completed 123 service hours. One of the requirements
to obtain the rank of Eagle is to plan, implement, and complete a
service project. Bryant’s project was to rebuild a bridge on a nature trail
and install handrails on steps leading to the Easley First Baptist
Church Prayer Garden. The project improved the safety and access to this area
and demonstrated Bryant’s determination to complete this project despite
health challenges he endured.

PICKENS — An 8-year old Pickens child is safe following an ordeal in which she
was taken from her mother and transported out of state. Donnie Lee Shelton, 46, of
124 Sunset Drive in Pickens, has been arrested and charged in the incident.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff ’s Office, deputies were called to a home on
Ravenwood Lane in Pickens about a domestic disturbance at the residence. Deputies believe
that on Monday at around 6 p.m., a man came to the home and kicked in the door. The victim
told officers it was her exhusband and that she had been separated from him for a year
and a half. She also told deputies that she had an order of protection on her ex-husband and provided
documents to deputies. Deputies say the victim then said the man entered the home
that she and her two children shared and grabbed the couple’s 8-year-old daughter and left.
Warrants were issued for Shelton, and he was charged with violation of custody order,
assault and battery first degree, criminal domestic violence, trespassing and burglary.
An Amber alert was issued by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The alert was canceled after officers with the Corbin City (Ken.) Police called local authorities
and said that Shelton had been arrested at a local hospital. Officers say that Shelton had taken
the girl to the emergency room of the hospital after the child had complained of stomach
pain. The child is now back with her mother, authorities say. Shelton is currently being
held in Kentucky. No date for extradition has been set, according to the PCSO.

EASLEY — Pickens County Seniors Unlimited is hosting its first Holiday Bazaar at the
Easley Senior Center on Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m.-2p.m. Everyone is encouraged
to stop in to 401 Blair Street in Easley and enjoy some holiday shopping and a hot dog lunch.
Various vendors from around the area will be on hand to sell their crafts and gift items.
Door Prizes will be given away throughout the bazaar. All proceeds from the bazaar
and lunch support the programs and services of Pickens County Seniors Unlimited.
Vendors can purchase space at the bazaar by calling Amanda
Nicholson at (864) 878-0172.
Space and table rental is
$25; space only is $10.

All vendors are asked to donate an item for a door prize. Since 1972, Pickens County
Seniors Unlimited, a non-profit organization, has been a major service deliveryorganization
exclusively serving the needs and interests of senior adults. Its primary goal is to provide
programs and services that address social, intellectual, emotional, vocational and physical needs.
By providing these services, Pickens County Seniors Unlimited hopes to delay or prevent
institutionalization and promote independent living among senior adults in Pickens County.
For more information on the Holiday Bazaar, membership, or other programs and services
offered by Pickens County
Seniors Unlimited, please call
(864) 878-0172.