Daily Archives: 09/08/2015
Rejuvenating a landmark
Breann Griffin-Nicholson, who will direct the first production at the new Enrapt theater and arts center in downtown Pickens, stands in front of the historic Bradley-Boggs House, which will house Enrapt.
Historic downtown home to become new Pickens theater and arts center
PICKENS — The historical Bradley-Boggs House is currently being renovated to house Enrapt, Pickens’ first theater and arts center.
Enrapt will be a place that provides cultural entertainment in the forms of live theater and supporting art communities through classes, workshops, space availability and production. Enrapt will be a place where everyone feels at home and where everyone can create and be inspired. Enrapt will be a place that not only recreates history but also creates the future of Pickens.
The facility is being formed to bring innovation and inspiration to the developing arts through a unique development in a historic Pickens location. Through outdoor theatre, arts learning and showcasing areas and production facilities, the project has the potential to spearhead an arts renaissance in the city.
With access to one of the most significant historical sites in Pickens, the Bradley-Boggs House, the home of Enrapt will be the centerpiece location for art projects including co-operative projects, music creation, hands-on art development, live acts and theatre production.
The concept will begin to take shape with the fall production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” directed by Breann Griffin-Nicholson. “Our Town” will be produced on Sept. 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of Enrapt.
Admission will be free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. Concessions will be sold.
Enrapt is located at 118 W. Main St. in Pickens.
Fun on the farm
Dacusville hosts annual Farm Show festival
By Pamela Dodson
Staff Reporter
pdodson@thepccourier.com
DACUSVILLE — The sounds of one-cylinder engines and children laughing and the smell of diesel fuel permeated the air over the weekend at the Dacusville Farm Show.
The event, which had been a Pickens County tradition for years, was resurrected three years ago by those who love old tractors and a slower pace of life. Pickens County was built on such values, and it showed as thousands came to enjoy Labor Day weekend at the show.
The third annual Dacusville Farm Show was held Saturday and Sunday at Tom Turner’s 55-acre farm off Earls Bridge Road.
The event brought out the young and old to experience a piece of Americana that just can’t be found elsewhere in the Upstate.
Pamela Dodson/Courier
Brothers Harrison and Walker serve samples of Clark Bros. Honey with their cousin, Maddy, at the Dacusville Farm Show on Saturday.
Last year’s event brought more than 3,000 people to the Dacusville area, and this year’s festival lived up to its predecessor, as thousands flocked in to see the antique tractors and enjoy a little down-home entertainment in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tractors ranging from John Deere to International Harvester were parked in neatly arranged rows, with their owners and spectators engaged in conversation about things ranging from gardening to cutting hay.
On one side sat the huge diesels, including an old Mack truck that would catch anyone’s eye. Restored trucks and classic cars were also on site.
A multitude of vendors displayed items hoping to catch the eye of some of the many in attendance as they made their way through the maze of antique metal.
Nothing, however, compared to the smell of freshly smoked barbecue and the aroma of funnel cakes filling the air, making mouths water.
The event also featured plenty of great live music, with voices echoing throughout the event.
Pickens County hosts a variety of festival events each year, but for those raised on a farm in the South, none can compare to the sheer spectacle and warmth of the Dacusville Farm Show. The show is one that takes visitors back in time to a simpler and calmer way of life.
SWU reaches new enrollment record
CENTRAL — For the second year in a row, a record number of new students enrolled in Southern Wesleyan University’s traditional program at Central.
Southern Wesleyan University president Todd Voss greets students and their families during orientation Aug. 15 at the Central campus. Going into the 2015-’16 academic year, enrollment has seen a significant increase over last year.
According to Chad Peters, vice president for enrollment management, the university enrolled 263 new students — 194 freshmen and 69 transfer students. Southern Wesleyan reported an enrollment of 772 students in its traditional program, up 9.3 percent over the 2014-’15 academic year.
Peters said that exceeding the 1,000 student mark is one of the university’s established strategic goals for its traditional program and he noted that a record number of students was recruited for the second year in a row.
According to Dr. Joe Brockinton, vice president for student life, there was a 10 percent increase in students living on campus as 436 moved into campus housing.
“This is the largest group ever housed at SWU,” Brockinton said. “We are thrilled to see so many students on campus.”
Peters added that the business, criminal justice and exercise science programs are enrolling new students at a rapid pace.
“Students enrolling at SWU are looking for something different. They are looking for a campus that will help them develop as a person while they explore God’s purpose for their life,” Peters said. “The administration is committed to improving campus facilities that will help foster inventive academic learning experiences. The new Criminal Justice Lab is just one example of how Southern Wesleyan University is looking for opportunities to engage students in a new kind of learning.”
Peters also stated that athletic rosters are “at or near capacity,” as the university’s athletic program enters its third year of NCAA Division II candidacy.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
Opening date planned for new Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site
A soft opening is planned later this month for the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site of South Carolina.
PICKENS — Originally constructed in 1826 before being moved and rebuilt at its current site north of Pickens 170 years ago, Hagood Mill is a relic of days long past.
But a 2003 discovery at the site of the historic mill brought an even more distant past to life.
Working under the direction of South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology archaeologist Tommy Charles, a researcher discovered more than 30 Native American rock carvings dating back more than 1,000 years on a 30-foot-long rock near the mill.
Now the carvings — also known as petroglyphs — are housed in a new building which will finally open to the public for a soft opening later this month, when the mill site hosts its monthly third Saturday event.
Formerly known as the Rock Art Center, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site of South Carolina will be open on Sept. 19 as the mill hosts the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship. Plans are being made for an official dedication to feature speakers, donor recognition and the unveiling of plaques.
The building, which is accessible for the disabled and climate-controlled, includes an orientation lobby where visitors can find information from Charles’ book, “Discover South Carolina’s Rock Art,” displayed on the walls, as well as display cases with “portable petroglyphs” from the area and a video with the story of the carvings’ discovery and dig.
Visitors will move from the lobby into the darkened main viewing room, where they will be treated to a light show with audio narration from Charles describing specific petroglyphs. The program is designed for the enjoyment of all audiences — from small schoolchildren to academics, local community members and international tourists.
The site features 32 distinct carvings, with 18 representing people. The petroglyphs range in size from about 6 inches to more than a foot. South Carolina is home to more than 300 confirmed petroglyph sites, with the majority being found in Pickens, Oconee and Greenville counties, according to officials. Many of the Upstate carvings are at high elevations and are hard to reach for the general public, such as in the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens County, according to S.C. Department of Natural Resources officials.
Following the soft opening, the petroglyph site will be open regularly to the public on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays each week from 10 a..m.-4 p.m. On the third Saturday of each month, there is a $5 parking fee at the mill, but admission to the petroglyph site and the mill is always free.
The Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center is located at 138 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens.
For more information, contact Pickens County tourism and marketing director Helen Hockwalt at (864) 898-5585 or helenh@co.pickens.sc.us.
Six Mile’s ‘Grumpy Old Men’ step up to the plate
LIBERTY — A group from Six Mile, informally known as the “The Grumpy Old Men,” stepped up to the plate to help Pickens County Meals on Wheels raise the necessary funds to purchase the small wares — new pots, pans, and essential utensils — needed to furnish the kitchen of the newly renovated McKissick Center for Senior Wellness.
Under the leadership of PCMOW board member John Wade, the group set out with a noble goal of raising $7,500. Named the “Silver Spoons Campaign,” their efforts consisted of individual donations and appeals, a breakfast fundraiser, a boot drive at the intersection of S.C. Highways 133 and 183) conducted by chief Michael Barrett and members of the Six Mile Fire Department and a yard sale that netted more than $4,000. The Grumpy Old Men surpassed every expectation by raising a grand total of $11,461.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results,” Wade said. “It was a group effort all the way. Personally, I know firsthand the benefits the program has on those they serve. They go far beyond the meal. The daily visit by volunteers provide seniors with something to look forward to each day.”
A plaque commemorating the names of all donors to this project will be placed at the McKissick Center. Notable members who helped with the project include Six Mile mayor Roy Stoddard, Rep. Gary Clary, former Rep. B.R. Skelton, Ken Ellison, Jimmy Hayes, B.J. Skelton, Wilt Stephens, “Dude” McAbee, Steve Howard, Eddie Durham, Tony Ellison, Charlie Yongue, Mac Bradshaw, Bud Alexander, Mike Alexander, Heuston Merck, Tom Smith, Carl Whitaker and Wade.
“Despite their name, The Grumpy Old Men are so much fun,” PCMOW executive director Meta Bowers said. “They have stepped up in such an incredible way. We are producing nearly 300 meals per day in our new kitchen. Their efforts will help serve our elderly and disabled neighbors for many years to come.”
Meals on Wheels began refurbishing the former Liberty Middle School kitchen and cafeteria in January. The McKissick Center for Senior Wellness officially opened on July 6. The McKissick Center is the home of the newly established PCMOW kitchen, its home-delivered meal program and Young at Heart dining and activity center.
Founded in 1980, Pickens County Meals on Wheels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that exists to combat the effects of hunger, loneliness and isolation on those living in Pickens County and provide a lifeline through the use of caring volunteers. Both Meals on Wheels and the Young at Heart dining and activity programs are about more than the meal. These services are crucial to helping people maintain their nutritional health, feel connected in the community and continue living safely in their own homes.
For many seniors, this is the only social contact they may have in a day. These services are a vital part of fighting isolation and helping older adults remain active and healthy. Community-based programs like Meals on Wheels provide are a cost-effective way of helping people “age in place.” To find out more about Meals on Wheels and the importance of the work it does in Pickens County, visit pcmow.org, call (864) 855-3770 ext. 303 or email info@pcmow.org.
Clemson president to speak at festival
UPSTATE — The Westminster Rotary Club welcomes 
Dr. James P. Clements, president of Clemson University, as this year’s speaker for the annual Apple Festival Luncheon. One of the highlights of the festival, the event will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Westminster Baptist Church social hall. Tickets are $15 and are available from any Westminster Rotarian, the Westminster Chamber office or at the door.
Clements became Clemson University’s 15th president on Dec. 31, 2013. He is also a professor in the School of Computing, College of Engineering and Science at Clemson. Under his leadership, Clemson has reached several milestones — the largest campus development initiative in university history, a record number of student applications with the strongest academic profile ever; and a record-breaking year in fundraising, with nearly $200 million raised in private gifts since Clements joined the university.
Pickens Chamber member of the month
The Seth Crow State Farm Agency is this month’s Pickens Chamber Member of the Month. Seth Crow and his team of professionals have served the residents of Pickens County and surrounding areas since January 2011 by offering both insurance and financial services products. Crow and his team strive to deliver the highest levels of customer service and professionalism while helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. Crow is a member of Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, Pickens Rotary Club and serves as a board member for Pickens County Public Service Commission and Alliance Pickens. The Seth Crow State Farm Agency is located in downtown Liberty.
Pictured are Aimee Cassell, Ron Acker, Seth Crow, Clay Counts and Will Bruce. Team members not included in the photo are Jenna Lanning and Melissa Crow.
Bin and barrel sale set for next month
UPSTATE — Anderson and Pickens Counties Stormwater Partners (APCSP), a regional consortium of Clemson University’s Carolina Clear program, will offer discounted rain barrels and compost bins at the bin and barrel sale on Oct. 21.
Anderson and Pickens Counties Stormwater Partners (APCSP) will offer discounted rain barrels and compost bins Oct. 21.
For the second year running, the sale has been held on Solid Green Day. Solid Green is a campus organization that is all about taking pride in Clemson’s campus, taking responsibility for keeping it clean and taking action to help sustain the environment for a better future.
Installing a rain barrel at your house or business is a smart solution to erosion at downspout sites, can save you money on your water bill, and helps to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff due to water not soaking into the ground. This runoff can carry pollutants such as fertilizers, oil and sediment off lawns and roads and into the nearest waterway. Composting is another easy solution to stormwater runoff. By turning food scraps and lawn waste into nutrient-rich material that can be used in your garden, you are improving the soil’s ability to absorb water. Composting is also good for the environment, because it keeps these nutrients from becoming locked in a landfill.
The 50-gallon Ivy rain barrel and 65-gallon Redmon compost bin are on sale for $68 each, and must be pre-ordered online at rainbarrelprogram.org/stormwaterpartners by Thursday, Oct. 15. To order by check and for more information, contact Anderson County Extension at (864) 226-1581 or Pickens County Extension at (864) 878-1394.
Pick up is at the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 2-6 p.m. For more information, visit clemson.edu/carolinaclear/apcsp or follow us on Facebook.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
Volunteer meetings planned at McKissick Center on Thursdays
LIBERTY — Volunteer orientation sessions for Pickens County Meals On Wheels programs are held at The McKissick Center for Senior Wellness at 1:30 p.m. each Thursday.
The center is located at 349 Edgemont Avenue in Liberty. For more information, contact Marsha Robertson at (864) 855-3770, ext. 5, marsha.robertson@pcmow.org or visit pcmow.org.
Hopkins to speak at BPW meeting
EASLEY — The Easley Business and Professional Women’s Organization invites the public to join its monthly women’s luncheon at Fatz Cafe in Easley on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 12:30 p.m.
Cost for the lunch is $10.
The speaker will be Cindy Hopkins. A native of Anderson, Hopkins has served as president of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce since June 2012.
Prior to her current position, she served as executive vice president at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. Prior to chamber work, she served the United Way of Anderson County in areas of resource development and community initiatives. Before entering the nonprofit arena, she worked in the banking industry for 13 years.
Hopkins earned her degree in business administration from Clemson University. Professionally, she holds an IOM designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Diversity Leadership Institute at The Riley Institute at Furman University, Leadership Pickens County, Leadership Anderson and Leadership South Carolina.
Currently, Hopkins is a member of the Easley Rotary Club, as well as serving on a variety of local boards and advisory committees including Ten at the Top, Pickens County Business-Education Alliance, Pickens County Career and Technology Center Advisory Board, Pickens County Education Foundation, Leadership Pickens County Board of Regents, and Baptist Easley Hospital Community Advisory Board. Previously, she has served for Align SC, American Red Cross, Special Olympics Area 14, Keep America Beautiful, United Way of Anderson County Women’s Leadership Council and Anderson University Women’s Council.
Attendees are reminded to bring business cards for networking and for a drawing for a free lunch.
The organization is open to all working or retired women. Reservations should be made by Sept. 14. Send reservations to Tina Fiori at tipss1@yahoo.com or call (607) 760-8721.
