Monthly Archives: January 2017
Pickens Police chief thanks community
PICKENS — Pickens Police Chief Travis Riggs is thanking community members who donated to the department’s K-9 fund.
The department’s new K-9 officer, 15-month-old Zenia, is currently in training and will join the force at the end of next month.
“The department had a great show of support and appreciate every donation, no matter the amount, if it was received with a check or placed in a donation box,” Riggs said. “The Pickens PD would also like to thank Town and Country, Buddy and Cisco’s and the Pickens Water Department for displaying our donation boxes.
“A special thanks to the businesses/individuals who were able to make a considerable contribution: Wal-Mart, Jeff Holder Builders, Foothills Gun and Pawn, Manna Health, Carrol Wilson, Blue Ridge Electric, Janice Saytovic, Jerry Blackdad, PS Chiropractic, The American Legion #11, The Mill Church, Pickens Family Dentistry, Farm Equipment Supplies, Domino’s Pizza, Ace Hardware, De Gaspe Beaybien Consulting LLC, Clemson Kennel Club and Pace and Reeves.”
Riggs also thanked J.R. Bowers, “a generous little boy who came in to city hall, saw the donation jar and gave his own two cents.”
Atax committee announces project funding availability
COUNTY — Pickens County is now accepting accommodations tax funding applications for projects for the 2016-2017 fiscal year from organizations involved in tourism-related activities or projects.
The funds, collected from Pickens County accommodations tax, are intended to be used to further the growth of the tourism industry in Pickens County by attracting or providing for tourists. The distribution of the funds is approved by Pickens County Council, which receives recommendations from the Pickens County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee. The committee will determine its recommendations on completed funding request applications received and will be meeting during the month of March to review the applications. The deadline for the receipt of all funding applications is Feb. 24.
Any Pickens County organization whose efforts primarily involve or affect area tourism efforts is encouraged to apply for potential funding.
Funding request applications can be obtained by writing the Pickens County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee at 222 McDaniel Ave. No. B-2, Pickens, SC 29671, by phone at (864) 868-2196, by e-mail at dalep@co.pickens.sc.us or at co.pickens.sc.us/documents/.
Courier Letters to the Editor 1-25-17
The Pickens County Courier gladly accepts letters to the Editor. Letters must be no longer than 500 words. All letters must be signed, including first and last name, address and phone number in order to be considered for publication.
YMCA soccer sign-ups open until February 10
PICKENS — The Pickens YMCA will hold open registration for the Bethlehem Ridge Soccer Club’s spring recreational soccer season from Jan. 1 through Feb. 10.
The program is open to kids ages 4-15. The season will begin the week of Feb. 20 and end on April 29. All games and practices will be held at the Pickens YMCA.
Registration can be completed at the Easley, Pickens or Powdersville YMCA branches, as well as online at pcymca.net. Sponsorships and volunteer coaching opportunities are also available. Contact the YMCA at (864) 878-8380 or email Clarissa Suttle at clarissa@pcymca.net for more information.
YMCA officials believe children need to be a part of something bigger than themselves to help strengthen values, sportsmanship, leadership skills and the importance of relationship building and diversity. The YMCA soccer program allows children to actively develop individually through healthy competition in a positive and encouraging environment.
Registration for soccer and volleyball now underway at Pickens Recreation
PICKENS — Spring volleyball and soccer registration is being taken through Friday at the Pickens Recreation Center on Sangamo Road in Pickens.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify and will only be taken the first three weeks of the registration period, Jan. 2-20. The following age divisions for volleyball are offered: 7-9, 10-12, 13-14 and 15-17 year olds.
In soccer, the following coed age divisions are offered: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 year olds. Depending on size of leagues, the 9-10 and 11-12 divisions may have to be combined.
Following registration, a skills/evaluation day will be held for each age division. The registration fee provides a jersey to be kept. The fee is $45 for in-city residents and $55 for out-of-city residents. Birth certificates are required at registration. Birthday cut-off is Sept. 1, 2016.
If you are interested in coaching or need additional information, call the Recreation Department at (864) 878-2296.
Courier Obituaries 1-25-17
The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service. Click Read More to read Obituaries at no cost.
Botanical Garden winter lectures aim to help gardeners
By Denise Attaway
Clemson University
news@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — It’s a new year, and the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University is ready to teach gardeners some exciting new methods and techniques to help their gardens grow in 2017.
The Garden’s 2017 Winter Lecture Series is set to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25 in the Hayden Conference Center at 156 Duck Pond Lane in Clemson.
The series, titled “Gardening for a New Century,” features a variety of well-respected experts who share innovative approaches to gardening for the 21st century.
The authors of both “The Bio-Integrated Farm” and “Planting in a Post-Wild World” will participate in the South Carolina Botanical Garden’s 2017 Winter Lecture Series at Clemson University.
Patrick McMillan is the series’ keynote speaker and will open the series Feb. 11 with a presentation on the transformation of the Botanical Garden’s plant collection in the face of climate change over the past decade. He will explain implications of this change for home gardeners. McMillan is the Botanical Garden director, as well as host, co-creator and writer of the popular Emmy-award winning ETV nature program “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan.”
An introduction to permaculture will round out the first day of the series. Shawn Jadrnicek, manager of the Clemson University Student Organic Farm and author of “The Bio-Integrated Farm,” will illustrate how to harness natural resources, such as sunlight, wind, rainfall, organic matter and animals, and how to integrate these components into a functioning system to benefit life. Permaculture is a revolutionary approach to home gardening that encourages gardeners to employ nature to do much of the ongoing garden work and enables gardeners to reap the rewards.
On Feb. 18, the opening talk will be on the importance of “Low Maintenance Perennials” for home landscape. Ellen Vincent, a Clemson University landscape specialist, will offer her expertise and strategies for success with regard to design, installation and maintenance of perennial gardens. Vincent will highlight perennials that need little attention but create huge impact. By choosing plants that require little water, minimal fertilizers and few, if any, pesticides, home gardeners can be at the forefront of implementing sustainable landscaping practices.
Also on Feb. 18, Ted Stephens will discuss “Lime and Liming, Revolutionize Your Garden.” The presentation will show a simple and effective way to enjoy better disease control, insect control, flower and fruit production, improved soil structure and microorganism activity by applying correct applications of lime. Stephens has well over 30 years of experience as a noted plantsman and owner/operator of Nurseries Caroliniana in North Augusta. He will share his vast plant knowledge in his presentation.
Revolutionary, sustainability and beauty are themes that run throughout the lecture series. Claudia West will bring all of them together in her lecture on Feb. 25. West’s presentation is titled “Planting in a Post-Wild World,” based on her book of the same name co-authored with Thomas Ranier. The book has been heralded as a clear break from traditional horticultural design traditions by Architectural Digest and others.
Courtesy photos
South Carolina Botanical Garden director Patrick McMillan will be the keynote speaker at the garden’s 2017 Winter Lecture Series.
West’s presentation will be followed by a talk aimed at enabling gardeners to support wildlife, specifically birds, through the addition of bird-friendly plants to the landscape. Presenter Matt Johnson is the education manager for the Audubon Center and Sanctuary at the Francis Beidler Forest. His main focus is to raise awareness for bird conservation through environmental education and community outreach.
The cost for the series is $90, or $35 for individual sessions. Friends of the Garden members get a 10 percent discount. For more information or to register, contact Susan Watts at (864) 656-3405 or watts9@clemson.edu.
Several events are scheduled to be held in the Botanical Garden this winter. For a full schedule of listings, visit clemson.edu/public/scbg/events/events-calendar.html.
Duke Energy to again ‘Share the Warmth’
UPSTATE — Unseasonably warm temperatures right now might fool a few robins or crocuses, but Duke Energy employees know that it’s a long way to spring.
That’s why the company is continuing its 31-year tradition by partnering with employees and customers to lend a hand to those struggling to pay their energy bills.
Through its Share the Warmth program, the company works with more than 80 local agencies in the Duke Energy Carolinas service territory to aid qualified senior citizens, families and other customers with financial assistance.
The company annually matches up to $500,000 in employee and customer contributions during the heating season.
“We are committed to providing affordable energy to all of our customers, but we know some struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “As we move through another heating season, we want to remind our customers of the resources and support available to help with their winter bills.”
In 2016, Duke Energy, its employees and customers provided $1,400,000 in bill assistance to North Carolina and South Carolina customers through Share the Warmth.
Since the program’s establishment in 1985, it has provided more than $34.4 million to those in need. Duke Energy offers similar energy assistance programs across all of its service territories.
“We greatly appreciate the many customers and Duke Energy employees who contribute to Share the Warmth and our other energy assistance programs each year,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Their generous support provides a meaningful impact for thousands of people across the Carolinas.”
Contributing online to Share the Warmth is quick and easy, and contributions may be tax-deductible. Additionally, Duke Energy provides energy efficiency products, services and information to help customers save energy and money. For more information and to contribute to Share the Warmth, visit duke-energy.com.
Baptist Easley opens Patrick Square facility
CLEMSON — Baptist Easley is making high quality care more convenient for the Clemson community with the opening of a new medical facility. Baptist Easley at Patrick Square opens today and features Clemson Primary Care, Clemson Neurology, Roger C. Peace Rehab Services and Baptist Easley Sleep Lab. Outpatient radiology and laboratory services are also available.
“Patrick Square is a unique community whose design draws people together and makes it easy for them to access the types of amenities that make a community truly feel like home,” said Michelle Scherer, chief business experience officer at Baptist Easley. “Health care is an important amenity for any community, and now those living in Patrick Square don’t have to travel far to receive high quality, convenient care.”
Clemson Primary Care offers complete care for adults and children. The practice is staffed by board certified internal medicine physician William Bedingfield, Jr, MD, and nurse practitioner Jessica Rivera. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clemson Neurology offers consultations, comprehensive general exams and diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. The practice is staffed by two board certified neurologists, George Baxley, MD, and Jerry Sherrill, MD, and nurse practitioner Trudy Lovejoy. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roger C. Peace Rehab Services offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for adults and children. Five adult therapists offer assessment and treatment of neurological impairments, such as vertigo/dizziness, balance and coordination problems, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Six pediatric therapists evaluate and provide treatment to infants and children with autism, gross and fine motor delays, feeding problems, genetic disorders and other conditions. The practice is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Baptist Easley Sleep Lab is staffed by board certified sleep specialist Abbas Mansour, MD, who provides diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Sleep testing is done in a well-equipped sleep laboratory supervised by registered polysomnographic technologists.
Baptist Easley at Patrick Square is located at 101 Chapman Hill Road in Clemson. To learn more, visit baptisteasley.org or call (864) 653-4071.
Courier Community Calendar 1-25-17
• Family Discovery Project set by 4-H
Those interested will be able to learn about their family history, customs and quirks in an online family project sponsored by 4-H. There are no meetings, and the project can be taken as fast or slow as participants wish.
Cost is $10 for 4-H families and $20 for non-4-H members. Contact Pickens County Extension at (864) 878-1394 to sign up.
• Sertoma Club invites locals to meet
The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all interested local residents to attend its meetings.
The club meets at noon the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Occasions at Wedgefield, located at 1551 Eighteen Mile Road in Central. New visitors are always welcome.
