Category Archives: News
Easley cheer squad wins first state title
COLUMBIA — Just a year removed from finishing second at the Class 4A state championship, the Easley Green Wave competitive cheer 
team reached their ultimate goal on Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, winning the state title for the first time in school history.
The Green Wave, who finished second behind Catawba Ridge at the Upper State championship on Nov. 14, were able to overcome the Copperheads on their way to winning the title.
Easley scored 304.5 points in the competition to best second-place Lucy Beckham’s 295.5 points and third-place Catawba Ridge’s 295.
Rounding out the top 10 in Class 4A were A.C Flora, Riverside, Airport, Myrtle Beach, Irmo, West Florence and Hilton Head.
The title comes on the heels of the Wave finishing second in the state in 2021, coming up shy of repeat state champion A.C. Flora, as well as a third-place finish in 2020.
Dream Center among state’s Angel charities
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — The Dream Center of Pickens County was recently recognized for devoting 95 percent of its total expenses to its charitable programs.
The center was among 10 charities recently recognized for being a charity that is “a good steward of contributions.”
South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond recognized 10 Angel charities at a news conference on Nov. 16.
“As your secretary of state, I have the duty of enforcing the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, of raising public awareness of the need to be vigilant when making charitable donations,” Hammond said.
Twenty-four years ago, the secretary of state’s office began the tradition of recognizing “Angel and Scrooge” charities before Thanksgiving, he said.
“The holiday season marks a time of giving and increased solicitations,” Hammond said. “The purpose of this announcement has been to recognize charities that are good stewards of contributions and to educate the public of the need to do their research before making a donation.”
In recent years, instead of naming specific organizations as Scrooges, his office has released a Wise Giving Report as part of International Charity Fraud Awareness Week in October, Hammond said.
“This report provides a tip on how to evaluate charities and questions that all donors should ask,” he said. “For example, if you receive a solicitation, you should check to see if the charity is registered to solicit in South Carolina and how much of their expenses are devoted to their charitable programs.”
“You can do this by using the charities search feature on our website,” Hammond continued. “Before making a donation, you should always ask how much of your donation will go to the charity and how much is being spent on fundraising costs. If you have concerns about a charity, professional fundraiser or a raffle, please notify our office.”
The report includes a “Give Smart Watch List” of 10 organizations soliciting in South Carolina that have failed to spend a significant percentage of donations on their charitable programs, he said.
“Public charities serve an important role in our communities,” Hammond said.
South Carolina nonprofits employ nearly 6 percent of the state’s workforce “and generate more than $17 billion in annual revenue,” he said.
The charities selected as Angels “represent what we believe to be shining examples of public service and good stewardship,” he said.
To be recognized as an Angel, a charity must devote 80 percent or more of its total expenses to charitable programs.
To recognize as many organizations as possible, his office only recognizes Angel organizations one time, Hammond said.
“Please don’t call me and ask why you weren’t recognized next year,” he told the crowd. “You are not a fallen Angel. You are still an Angel.”
Deputy Secretary of State Melissa Dunlap announced this year’s selected charities.
The Dream Center of Pickens County devotes 95 percent of its total expenses to its charitable programs, she said.
“The purpose of the Dream Center of Pickens County is to encourage, educate and empower people in need with a hand up, not a handout,” Dunlap said. “The Dream Center of Pickens County’s primary program shelters the homeless (and) educates them to become independent and self-sufficient citizens.
“The Dream Center operates Opportunity Village, which is a yearlong homeless shelter which provides 23 tiny houses and 10 transitional houses to shelter women and children in need,” she continued. “In addition to housing, Opportunity Village programs assist residents through an individual success plan, which includes services of a case manager, a financial coach and a care coach.”
The Dream Center also offers crisis intervention, as well as free classes in budgeting, parenting and healthy lifestyle choices, Dunlap said.
The other Angels recognized this year are Cancer Association of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties Inc., Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County, Defenders For Children, Mercy Medicine Free Clinic, Operation Home Inc., Programs for Exceptional People, Restore Mobility for the Blind, Sharing God’s Love Inc. and The Village Group.
The Wise Giving Report can be found at sos.sc.gov.
“It is our hope that the report will give charitable donors the tools they need to make wise giving decisions,” Hammond said.
Learn more about the Dream Center of Pickens County at dreamcenterpc.org.
Powdersville stuns Daniel with late score to halt streak
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
POWDERSVILLE — Hanging on to a 35-28 lead with just 14 seconds left in the game, the Daniel Lions needed just one more stop in Friday night’s third-round playoff battle at Powdersville.
The Daniel defense, which had rounded into one of the state’s best after having to replace eight starters to startthe year, had been battered by 46 Patriot rushes, and on the third-down play from the Lions’ 1-yard line, they were
unable to stop Powdersville quarterback Eli Hudgins from getting to the edge and cutting the lead to 35-34 with 8 seconds remaining.
Luckily for Daniel, the Patriots gave the Lions another chance for a game-winning stop as they elected to try
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Farm Bureau women celebrate
GEORGETOWN — Pickens County residents Ardona Summerall, Yvonne Bryant, Nan Boggs and Melanie Ginn joined more than 100 women from across the state in Georgetown last month for the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference.
The group of women participated in workshops that highlighted Ag in the Classroom programs, offered personal development and provided tools to promote agriculture in their counties.
The program opened with keynote speaker Kalena Bruce, a farm mom, former American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher committee chair and a CPA. Bruce recently ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, and she shared her story of volunteer leadership and inspired attendees to be advocates for agriculture.
Following the keynote speaker, attendees heard from four county Women’s Committee chairs as they shared insight into their success with their local programs.
New this year, two tracks were offered so the women could personalize their conference experience. The Agricultural Literacy track focused on Ag in the Classroom programs and resources while the Agribusiness and Advocacy track gave attendees tools for growing their business and being successful advocates for agriculture.
The conference concluded with a tour of the area, including stops at Brookgreen Gardens and Hobcaw Barony.
Farm Bureau Women at county, state and national levels coordinate agricultural education and promotional activities. Their work includes supporting important legislation for family farmers, youth programs, educational activities, leadership development and commodity promotions.
“Farm Bureau women work hard to advance agriculture in South Carolina,” Agricultural Literacy and Women’s Program director Elizabeth Wood said. “Their knowledge of and interest in family farms contributes so much to the organization, as they work for the future success of agriculture in our state.”
The SCFB Women’s Leadership Program works through the organization’s volunteers to tell the farm story through education and advocacy with children and youth. The SCFB Women’s Leadership program is one of many purpose activities sponsored by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation.
Christmas Calendar
• Pickens planning plenty holiday cheer
The city of Pickens will be starting the holiday season with a tree lighting at the Doodle Pavilion at 7 p.m. Nov. 25. On Dec. 2, the community will come alive with the annual Christmas parade at 7 p.m. in downtown Pickens. As the holiday grows closer, the Pickens Fire Department 
plans on doing an “Around Town” Parade, along Main Street in Pickens, starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 18.
• Easley to kick off Christmas festivities
The city of Easley will be holding a tree-lighting ceremony that will take place at Easley City Hall downtown at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25. At 6 p.m. Dec. 10, the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade of Lights will be making its round through the downtown area. To bring holiday cheer to everyone around the area, the Old Market Amphitheater will host a Christmas Carol concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 16, where various singing groups will come together, while children will have festive activities to attend.
• Holly jolly time set for city of Liberty
Liberty will be hosting its annual Holly Jolly Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, starting at the old Liberty football stadium.
• Central attempts to create new traditions
The town of Central will be holding its annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Central Main Street Caboose at 5 p.m. Dec. 2.
After the lighting ceremony, the town of Central will be holding its Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at Cannon Memorial Baptist Church and end at the Mt. Zion Cemetery area. Members of the community will be starting a new tradition of a Central Porch Tree Tour. Participating residents will decorate a tree however they want and display it on either their porch, patio or front yard.
To be a part of the new tradition, enter your address at centralmainstreet.org before Dec. 3, when the organizers will be releasing a map of all of the participating locations in town.
• An Ole Fashioned Christmas is Dec. 9
To kick off Six Mile’s Christmas festivities, the town will have its signature lights brighten Main Street at the annual Ole Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 9.
The next day, on Dec. 10, Six Mile’s 51st annual Christmas parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Afterward, a Christmas market will be held at the Red, White and Brew Coffee Co. building, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. All shoppers will have free entry.
Clarke awarded Order of the Palmetto
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
GREENVILLE — Mable Owens Clarke has received the state’s highest civilian honor in recognition of her decades of service to her church and her community.
Clarke received the Order of the Palmetto on Thursday afternoon at the Younts Center on the campus of Furman University.
Rep. Chandra Dillard served as the ceremony’s emcee.
“We are all inspired by this remarkable woman,” Dillard said.
For 22 years, Clarke headed up monthly fish fry fundraisers to support Soapstone Baptist Church, founded by freed slaves in the Liberia community of northern
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Official: Commerce park generates $1M annually
Plans for future site also taking shape
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Economic development was among the topics Pickens County Council members discussed at a recent Pickens United meeting.
Years ago, infighting between local officials caused Pickens County to have the reputation of being “closed for business.”
“We were closed for business,” county council chairman Chris Bowers said. “Then we were open for business, so much so that we have to
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Historic cabin rededicated at Hagood Mill
By Louise Hope and Jay Pence
For The Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Less than a year after being saved from complete destruction during a fire, the Murphree-Hollingsworth Cabin at Hagood Mill Historic Site was rededicated on Saturday.
The cabin caught fire on Nov. 21, 2021, but was saved by firefighters and restoration efforts have been ongoing since that day.
Charred logs inside the cabin were pressure washed with dry ice. The ceiling was removed, and a half loft has been built. The back porch and
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Native American Celebration this Saturday at Hagood Mill ** Online Exclusive**
PICKENS — In observance of Native American Heritage Month, Hagood Mill Historic Site will be hosting their annual Native American Celebration on Saturday, November 19th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This very popular annual event celebrates Native American history and traditions. A number of tribal groups from the Southeastern region of U.S. will be represented.
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 traditional crafts. Demonstrations will be going on all day throughout the Mill Site including traditional Cherokee blow-gun demonstrations, traditional
