Category Archives: Community
New antibody screening through blood donation detects COVID vaccine response
COUNTY — As vaccines become more widely available, a community blood center is offering a service to blood donors that will check for the body’s response to COVID-19 in two ways.
The Blood Connection has implemented a new COVID-19 antibody screening that will test each donor’s blood to see if it contains the antibodies from the COVID-19 vaccine and/or antibodies from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
TBC’s prior antibody screening — which started before vaccines were released — only detected a donor’s natural response to the virus through exposure, whereas the new
Peter Rabbit to visit Market at the Mill
PICKENS — Peter Rabbit will be posing for children’s photos in an Easter Bunny fantasy setting from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday, April 3, at 
the Market at the Mill in Pickens.
Visitors can take their own pictures, or a paid photographer will be available. A free Easter egg hunt will follow at 2 p.m. and will be divided for different age groups.
The market is located at 225 Pumpkintown Highway in Pickens.
Bensway Learning Academy celebrates grand opening
LIBERTY — The Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, March 6, to celebrate the grand opening of Bensway Learning Academy, located at 207B W. Front St. in downtown Liberty.
Chamber president and Liberty business owner Brandon Harbrecht, Liberty City Council member Archie Newberry and Liberty City Council member and LACC board member Erica Romo Woods were
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Career center students perform well in regional manufacturing competition
COUNTY — Pickens County Career & Technology Center welding and machine tool technology students recently participated in Project MFG.
Project MFG is a national advanced manufacturing competition organized by RD Solutions and funded by the Department of Defense organization IBAS (Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program) that includes CAD/CAM, five-axis CNC and welding.
There are three rounds of the competition, which include invitational/state, regionals and nationals.
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Griffin Ebenezer earns Golden Can Award
Scout Troop 51 challenged other community groups to donate canned food goods for its annual Scouting for Food, with all donations going to the Gleaning House Food Bank. Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church of Pickens met the challenge and donated more canned goods than any other group. Pictured here, Troop 51 senior patrol leader Jacob Santeler presents the “Golden Can Award” to Griffin Ebenezer pastor Terry Brown, along with members Carlton Holley and Rodney Wakefield. The community donated more than 800 pounds of canned goods. Other groups who participated were the Pickens Police Department, Pickens Rotary Club, Smith Chapel, Grace United Methodist Church and Pickens Presbyterian Church.
Scouts pitch in
Members of Boy Scout Troop 161 in Clemson led by Scoutmaster Michael Brown recently volunteered at Soapstone Baptist Church north of Pickens, helping clean up and complete projects around the church grounds.
Honoring more of the Greatest Generation
COUNTY — The Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) continues to recognize World War II veterans. Chapter regent Carolyn Nations and American history chair Ann Warmuth recently presented four veterans with DAR certificates in recognition of their service.
Nations and Warmuth feel that there are more World War II veterans in Pickens County whose service should be honored. If you know of any World War II veterans or want more information on the veteran service projects, contact the DAR Fort Prince George Chapter at fpgchapterdar@gmail.com.
Scouts Troop 51 and Cub Scout Pack 51 to host annual food drive
PICKENS — Scout Troop 51 and Cub Scout Pack 51 are hosting a canned food drive for their annual Scouting For Food program to benefit the Gleaning House Ministry in Pickens.
Donations of canned goods will be accepted at the Pickens Amphitheater parking lot from 
12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. At 1:30 p.m., the Sweet Potato Pie Kids from the YAMs program will also
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Literacy association book sale is this week
PICKENS — The spring 2021 book sale to benefit the Pickens County Literary Association is being held from now through Saturday at the Market at the Mill, located at 225 Pumpkintown Highway.
Hours for the sale are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. There will be plenty of parking available.
As usual, Saturday will be $5 a box day. Most of the prices range from 50 cents to $1.
For more information, reach out to the Pickens County Literacy Association on Facebook or email pickensliteracy@yahoo.com.
Ambler fifth-grader wins SCBTMA’s top scholarship
COLUMBIA — A fifth grader at Ambler Elementary School has been awarded the top youth scholarship from the S.C. Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association (SCBTMA) for 2020.
Lilly Svrlinga of Pumpkintown received a $300 award for her singing and picking skills on guitar and two styles of banjo. She performed at Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor in West Columbia after receiving her scholarship there in December.
Svrlinga plans to put her Bill Wells Memorial Youth Scholarship toward the purchase of a new banjo. She credits her instructors, Don and
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