News Archive Memorial services planned This time last year everything was full speed ahead--the stock market was booming, it was business as usual. Then the unthinkable happened. September 11, 2001. America was attacked on our own homeland, using civilian airliners and our own freedom to bring shock, chaos, fear, death and destruction to our great nation. Communities rallied together and held memorial services across the country over the next weeks as Americans searched for meaning to all this and re-examined their own values. One year later, the Town of Williamston and the town’s Sesquicentennial Committee along with area churches, civic organizations, and officials will have a community memorial service honoring those who died and those who helped on that tragic day. A community wide memorial service will be held on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Athletic Field. In case of rain, the service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church. Area churches, religious and civic organizations are asked to participate in the service and can call the mayor’s office at (864) 847-7473. During the service, a bronze memorial depicting the three areas that were attacked on Sept. 11 including Somerset County, Pa., New York, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. will be unveiled.  A military fly over has been approved through Congressman Lindsey Graham’s office, Lt. Col. Mike Creamer said. “We won’t know until the last minute because so many things can change including the weather,” he said. Several other memorial services are also planned.... The Anderson Community will present “A Day to Remember” Sept. 11 at 12:15 p.m. at Anderson College lawn. The event will reflect on the terrible tragedies of Sept. 11 and local community servants will also be recognized. Sponsors include Anderson County, City of Anderson, Anderson College, The American Legion, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and AnMed Health. Other community services planned next week include: 8:45 a.m.- City Hall Belton; 9 a.m. -  Town Hall, Honea Path; 5 p.m. - Anderson County Veterans Monument, Anderson; 6:30 p.m. - Gazebo, Chris Taylor Park, Anderson and 7 p.m. - Crescent High gymnasium, Iva. The events of Sept. 11, 2001 will be commemorated with an uplifting “Day of Remembrance” Sept. 7 at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. Many activities will mark the day, including a screening of the HBO documentary “In Memoriam:  New York City, 9/11/01” at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and police, fire and rescue vehicles will be parked outside for public viewing.  The museum will also have children’s activities in conjunction with EdVenture, the planned children’s museum. The highlight of the day, however, will be a 1 p.m. ceremony commemorating those lost on Sept. 11 and honoring the relief workers from South Carolina who went to New York to help in the recovery efforts.  WIS-TV news anchor Steve Crocker will host the proceedings, which will recognize these selfless South Carolinians and will include representatives of fire and police departments, emergency medical personnel, the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, and other groups who helped New Yorkers following the terrorist attacks. Music will be provided by the chorus from White Knoll Middle School, which started the initiative to purchase a new fire truck for New York City. “In addition, the public is invited to bring small items to be included on a ‘memory door’ to remember the volunteers and victims of Sept. 11,” said Julia Hill, public programs manager for the State Museum.  The door idea was inspired by the recent “art door” project of the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, in which doors from a recently demolished Columbia housing project were saved to serve as the basis for art projects for 59 South Carolina artists. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers The Pearson’s Place restaurant in Piedmont – known for years as Beasley’s – buzzes daily with diners enjoying delicious hot meals. But thanks to owner John Pearson and his staff, many elderly citizens of Piedmont have the same culinary experience as his restaurant patrons. Pearson is a dedicated volunteer for the Piedmont area Meals on Wheels – something his predecessor began when she owned the eatery. “Mrs. Beasley had the program going for years,” Pearson says. “When I bought the restaurant, I decided to keep the tradition up.” Pearson whips up a staggering 250 meals a week for the program – meals delivered throughout the Greenville County side of Piedmont to some of its neediest citizens. “We even cook meals on holidays,” he says. “We always provide meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas because otherwise a lot of these people would only be getting a frozen dinner.” It’s philanthropy Pearson has seen benefit someone close to him. “My grandmother was on Meals on Wheels for about five or six years,” he says. “It’s a great program that’s needed in our community.” Also needed, Pearson says, are volunteers. “We need them a lot,” he says. “Some of our volunteers in Piedmont are having to deliver meals two times a week. Some of them are elderly themselves.” The lack of Meals on Wheels volunteers in not unique to Piedmont. According to Anderson County Meals on Wheels Executive Director Sharon Crout, help in the way of drivers and servers is an ongoing need. “We have a critical need for regular drivers for several of our routes,” Crout says. “We have five Anderson routes which need drivers one day a week. Also, some Pelzer and Williamston routes lack regulars.” Crout appeals to local organizations to provide volunteers. “If a few people from a church, club or business take a route one day a week, each individual would drive one day a month or less,” she says. To volunteer in Piedmont, contact Pearson at 845-7100. To offer assistance in Anderson County, contact Crout at 225-6800. Improvements made to Wren recycling center Anderson County will re-open the renovated Wren Recycling Center, 485 Roper Rd., near Wren High School. “I’m pleased that the County has chosen to update this site. It looks great,” said Bill Dees, County Council District 6 representative. The site area was paved and striped to assist customer traffic flow, new signs and landscaping were added to improve appearance and additional recycling bings added to the facility. “We have created a site, in the northeast corner of the County, that looks sharp and is more user friendly for Anderson County residents,” said Greg Smith, Anderson County Solid Waste Manager. Recyclables accepted in Anderson County include aluminum cans, steel cans, glass bottles, plastics #1 and #2, mixed paper, newspaper, cardboard (no wax coating), used motor oil, oil bottles and filters, and auto batteries. “I really believe in recycling,” Dees said. “I hope our citizens will work with me to make full use of this quality center.” The site is open seven days per week during daylight hours. Currently there is not an attendant on staff at the recycling center, however a staff position is planned officials said. The site is one of three in Anderson County that accepts recyclables only. Trash is accepted at the nearby Slabtown site on Three & Twenty Road. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Wren site will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10 at the recycling center. For more information, call Anderson County Solid Waste Dept. at 260-1001. D. R. Chastain recognized by County Council During their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council approved a resolution honoring Williamston resident David R. Chastain for his service and dedication to Anderson County and approved requests for funding of several projects in the area. District 7 Councilmember Cindy Wilson made the presentation to Chastain, who taught Vocational Agriculture at Salem High School in Pickens County and Williamston High School and Palmetto High School in Anderson County. He was named State Teacher of the Year in 1971. Chastain was instrumental in bringing various amenities to the Williamston area including the Saluda Valley Country Club, The Vocational Center, the Williamston National Guard, Big Creek Water Sheds, the Williamston water filtration plant, Middleton Field, new girls sofball and practice fields at Williamston High School. He also supervised numerous improvements to Mineral Spring Park, was involved in the Christmas Park and helped draw plans to alleviate traffic problems around several Anderson County Schools.   Council also heard a comprehensive economic development strategy presentation concerning road, sewer and water projects in Anderson County. Steve Pelissier of the S. C. Appalachian Council of Governments made the presentation. Council approved a  request by   Wilson for $2,000 from the District 7 recreation account to help with equiping a rescue truck at the Piercetown Fire Department. District 4 Councilmember Clint Wright and District 6 Councilmember Bill Dees also ask that $2,000 from their respective recreation accounts be designated for the Piercetown Fire Dept. rescue truck. The Piercetown Fire Dept. response area lies in portions of each of the Council districts. Council also approved a request by Wilson for $5,000 from the recreation account for a downtown redevelopment project in Honea Path. During meetings held in August, County Council  approved requests by for aeveral projects in the area. Council District 6 representative Bill Dees requested up to $5,000 from the District 6 recreation account to remove lights at Wren High School for the Tri-County Soccer organization. Dees also requested  $3,600 for fencing, tire stops and a gate for Hurricane Springs Park. $1,200 will come from the District 6 paving account and $2,400 from the district 6 recreation account. Council also approved requests by Wilson for $1,000 from the District 7 recreation account for replacement windows and a kitchen floor at Caroline Community Center. Wilson also requested $500 from the District 7 recreation account to help the Town of Honea Path with printing for their Milestone’s Celebration. Requests by Mike Holden, Gracie Floyd and Clint Wright were also approved. During the Aug. 20 meeting, Council also recognized South Carolina Representative Dan T. Cooper, R. Williamston for being selected  Legislatuor of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Counties. Wilson made the special presentation. Council also recognized the Town of Honea Path, AnMed, Partners for a Healty Community and the Dogwood Garden Club for their public service and beautification projects in Honea Path and recognized the town for receiving the 2002 South Carolina Municipal Achievement Award for Public Service. Council also discussed requiring EMS providers in Anderson County to conduct criminal background investigations.