Quality of Life - Alliance Pickens
Transcription
Quality of Life - Alliance Pickens
Quality of Life Pickens County, South Carolina DIVERSIONS www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director “I enjoy the ability to spend an afternoon hiking in one of numerous places in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains that are so close that you are still able to be back in time for a nice dinner and performance downtown the same evening. Not too many places can offer that.” Pickens Professional [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Consider these points: • There are more than 300 waterfalls located within a two-hour drive. • The region is home to more than 80 golf courses, including some of the top courses rate by Golf Digest. • The highest ski slopes east of the Rockies are located less than three hours from Pickens, and world-renowned beaches are less than 4 hours away. • The region is home to more than 65 art galleries. • Pickens and surrounding counties offer fine dining that will suit every culinary pallet with more than 70 restaurants in downtown Greenville alone. • Pickens County’s Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell offer more than 1,300 miles of shoreline. • Clemson University offers NCAA Division I power in football, baseball and soccer. Death Valley averages nearly 79,000 fans per game. Haygood Mill Cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway The Reserves at Lake Keowee 2 NATURAL BEAUTY AND OUTDOOR CHALLENGES www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Do you find joy in discovering those “just perfect” spots in secluded wilderness settings? Pickens can provide you with what you need. With a number of major rivers including the Eastatoee and Saluda Rivers in our backyard, there are plenty of opportunities to find hidden waterfall hideaways, enjoy strenuous white water rapids or hike to that mountaintop that has been calling. Pickens County is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, the 1,500-foot wall at the meeting of two tectonic plates where the Blue Ridge Mountain range ends and the land tumbles steeply into the foothills below. Pickens provides easy access to the Appalachian Trail as well as the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Parks and Recreation Areas: • Devils Fork State Park, Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area, Mile Creek County Park and Table Rock State Park are among the dozens of local recreation areas and State Parks that afford the outdoor enthusiast with breathtaking vistas and outdoor challenges at all skill levels. • The Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club - an internationally recognized resource for paddlers of all stripes - is only an hour away from Pickens. • Whether you are hiking, biking, flying, boating or bicycling, Pickens County has the locale to suit your desires. 3 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 If weekend trips are your passion, Pickens County is the perfect location! Pickens county is located minutes away from and International Airport and only a few hours away from Port. Pickens County Airport: Pickens County Airport is a great place to base your aircraft, but even if you are only passing through you’ll enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and hospitality here 365 days a year. Even if you’re not a pilot, visit Pickens County Airport and experience the spectacular landscape from the air with a scenic flight. We have excellent facilities that include an outdoor picnic area, flight planning room with weather service, and a snack bar. If you are staying for a longer period of time we have overnight and long term aircraft tiedowns. We also have enclosed hangar space for based aircraft. GSP International Airport: (50 minutes away) Almost fifty years ago the seeds were planted for what is known today as Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport – Roger Milliken Field. Since that first flight which took place in 1962, GSP has earned a reputation of safety and has grown into one of the finest airports in the country. The GSP terminal building has in excess of 226,000 square feet of space, second level jet bridge boarding and thirteen departure gates. Two Federal Inspection Stations (FIS) consisting of Customs, Immigrations and Agriculture are located at GSP. The first FIS facility located under the south concourse is designed to handle 250 international passengers per hour. The second FIS location on the north cargo ramp is designed to handle cargo and corporate aircraft that require international clearance. The latest runway extension, completed in June of 1999 extends the runway to 11,001 feet making it possible for GSP to accommodate any aircraft currently in operation today. Charleston Port Authority: (4 hours away) Charleston, South Carolina. Long regarded as one of the country’s top travel destinations for its history, natural beauty and Southern charm, Charleston is an ideal cruise port. With an efficiently run operation and a new cruise terminal opening in early 2013, our port is ready to welcome cruise operators and travelers like. The only question is: When do you wish to set sail? 4 LAKES & MORE www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 For those who prefer the life aquatic, Lake Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee offer opportunities for sailing, jet skiing, water skiing, fishing or just lazing in the summer sun. Lake Hartwell is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers. Lake Hartwell comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles. Keowee has a 300-mile shoreline and 18,500 acres of water, while Jocassee has 7,500 acres of deep water and 75 miles of shoreline. Such large lakes are some of the most popular attractions for residents and visitors alike. Given our lakes and rivers, fishing is one of the favorite pastimes in the region. From highly competitive bass tournaments on large lakes to the solitude of fly fishing for speckled rainbow trout in clear mountain streams, the area offers anglers many options. Surprisingly, the Upstate also is home to the largest saltwater fishing club in the state - the Greenville Saltwater Sport Fishing Club. After all, the ocean is only a short drive away. The Chattooga River, only an hour drive from downtown Greenville, boasts world-class white water for kayaking and rafting. The Chattooga is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and boasts every level of white water from Class I riffles to Class V falls and hydraulics. And for those so inclined, the Upstate is home to numerous shooting clubs, hunt clubs, and has a reputation for record antler takes. 5 SKIING & EXTREME SPORTS www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director Outdoor recreation doesn’t stop during the winter in Pickens. Located in the mountains of North Carolina, less than a three-hour drive away, is the highest ski slope east of the Rockies. From bunny slopes to black diamond runs, Beech, Sugar, Hawksnest and several other ski resorts offer a wide range of skiing, tubing and snowboarding activities. [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 For the more adventurous sort, hang gliders have been seen taking off from Paris Mountain, near downtown Greenville, as well as from numerous locations in Western North Carolina. Sky diving aficionados have their choice of clubs: Flying Tigers Sport Parachute Center operating in Clemson, South Carolina, or Sky dive Monroe, Sky dive Carolina or Blue Sky Adventures. In other parts of the Palmetto State, you will have opportunities for honing your soaring skills (Lancaster, SC) as well as developing new talents in piloting Ultralight planes (Trenton). The Asheville Mountain Sports Festival’s Adventure Race features twelve hours of non-stop team racing in mountain biking, trekking and paddling with plenty of real navigation using map and compass on challenging terrain. This is the premiere United States Adventure Racing Association event. For climbing enthusiasts, nearby Table Rock Mountain offers enormous cliff faces to entice climbers of all levels. A short drive into North Carolina is Rumbling Bald Mountain, offering an excellent but difficult one and two pitch climbs. Also in North Carolina, Looking Glass Rock offers routes on premier granite domes, slabs, and walls on its miles of climbable faces. There are routes here to challenge everyone from beginner to expert. 6 URBAN EXPLORATION www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 • Pickens County offers a host of historical landmarks and locations of interest.Visit Collins Old Towne in Central and step back in time to a re-created 1930’s village or visit the Pickens County Museum in Pickens (housed in a 1920’s Victorian gaol (jail) which resembles a castle). Take a tour of French Huguenot Paul de St. Julien’s home on Clemson University’s campus. Liberty is the ‘Antiquers Heaven’ where everything from pre-World War I autos to the old general store, dentist office, barber shop and more are displayed. • Pickens County is home to the Big League World Series where teams from all over the globe compete for the title of best in the world in the 16-18-year-old category. 106 countries around the world compete for 10 team slots. In 2005 the event was held at the 100 acre J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex in Easley. • Fort Hill is located in the heart of the Clemson University campus and was the plantation home of John C. Calhoun. • A refuge of tranquility, the South Carolina Botanical Garden features a variety of trees and thousands of ornamental plants, a duck pond, an azalea and camellia trail, a pioneer garden with tool shed and water wheel, seasonal flower beds, earth sculptures and lots of walking trails. The garden began in 1959 as a small camellia collection on a reclaimed landfill site. In 1992 it was designated as the state’s official garden. Today it has grown to encompass 295 acres of natural and cultural attractions. 7 GOLF www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 You just found the sweet spot! With more than 51 public and private golf courses in the Pickens County area, you’re sure to find a course that suits your level of play. Pickens Country Club - 864.878.6083 • 18 hole regulation length public course • 72 par • 6,220 yards • 70 rating • 126 slope Walker Course / Clemson University. - 864.656.0236 • 18 hole regulation length public course • 72 par • 6,911 yards • 73 rating • 137 slope Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards - 864.868.4444 • 18 hole regulation length private non-equity course • 72 par • 7,006 yards • 74 rating • 140 slope The Rock at Jocassee - 877.878.2030 • 18 hole regulation length public course • 72 par • 6,514 yards • 70 rating • 118 slope Smithfield Country Club - 864.859.9545 • 18 hole regulation length private equity course • 72 par But, if you’re more into spectating than participating, take advantage of the many Pro-Ams that come to the area, including the BMW Charity Pro-Am tour, which has brought such celebrities as Kevin Costner, Dan Marino, Alice Cooper and Kurt Russell to the Upstate. 8 CYCLING www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Opportunities in the Area: Cycling opportunities abound in Pickens. From road racing to mountain biking, scenic highways along the Blue Ridge Escarpment as well as hundreds of miles of trails in the nearby mountains, keep even the most avid cyclist busy every weekend of the year. For mountain bike enthusiasts, trails at Timmons Park, Paris Mountain State Park, nearby Issaquena Forest and DuPont State Forest in Brevard, NC, provide ample opportunity to test their skills against the mountains. The Greenville Spinners is the largest amateur cycling club in the area, covering all types of cycling. • Dalton Road Ride - Starting from the Indian Springs Recreation Area, most of this moderately difficult loop (2.3 miles) is on Dalton Road, which is a well maintained gravel and clay road, but several long climbs and two extremely steep descents on a single track provide some technical challenge and provide a good workout.You can increase the length of your ride by riding the Issaqueena Lake, or Figure Eight at Holly Springs Rides in the same area. • Figure Eight at Holly Springs - Starting from the Holly Springs Recreation Area, this strenuous double loop trail spends more time on roads than the others in this area, but it does have a technical singletrack section with a steep eroded climb and descent. A mile long descent helps to bring up the average speed for this ride. Unfortunately you will have to ride a short section of paved road to make a connection between two sections. A descent on some stone steps near the end, add a bit of character to this trail.You can increase the length of your ride by riding the Issaqueena Lake, or the Dalton Road rides in the same area. 9 TEAM SPORTS & RECREATIONAL LEAGUES www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 If you want to stay in shape, hone your competitive edge or just have a good time with your peers, Pickens offers a wide range of recreation league-level sports teams. The Pickens County YMCA and the Central-Clemson Recreation Center provides opportunities for soccer, softball, volleyball, baseball and basketball tennis, swimming, karate and gymnastics for both youth and adults. Central-Clemson Rec. Center - 864.639.1111 • Two full-size basketball/volleyball gyms complete with electronic scoreboards and spectator bleachers. • A 6-lane, 25-yard pool for lap swimming, swim lessons, water aerobics, “waterwalking,” water sports, family and open swim time, and a variety of other activities • A large, heated therapy pool with Jacuzzi jets • A state-of-the-art 7,200 sq.ft. fitness room, including 7 treadmills, 3 stair climbers, 3 stationary bikes, rowing machines, 3 elliptical cross-trainers, free-weights, and 25 Icaran machines • 3,000 sq. ft. Aerobics room • Showers, lockers and changing rooms Easley Rec. Center - 864.855.7932 • 3 lighted grass in-field baseball fields (press box/concessions/bathroom) • 5 lighted dirt in-field softball/baseball fields (press box/concessions/bathroom) • 6 multi-purpose soccer/football fields with lights, press box, concession stand, and restrooms. • 5 soccer/football fields • 18 hole disc golf course • Outdoor Basketball Court • Picnic Shelter • Nature Trail approximately 1 mile • 2 Playground Units • Larry D. Bagwell Gymnasium. Pickens Rec. Center - 864.878.2296 • Playground of Promise • Picnic Pavilion, concession/picnic area & two additional picnic shelters • Tennis courts • Four baseball/softball fields • Football field w/grandstands • Soccer field • Multi-purpose field • Smaller playground area, • Two mile walking/nature trail and Pickens Recreation Center • Two gymnasiums which can be used for (2) basketball or (4) volleyball courts 10 TEAM SPORTS & RECREATIONAL LEAGUES www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Kids and Teens: • Summer swim lessons for all skill levels and ages, with certified instructors (private lessons also available) • A competitive swim team-The Clemson Aquatic Team-with divisions for all ages • Karate lessons for ages 12 and up with professional instructor of a traditional Japanese martial art • League basketball and volleyball play as well as frequent “pickup” games in the gyms • Week long summer sports camps • “Teen Nights” with volleyball, rec. ball, snacks and music • Lifeguard training and certification classes • Tumbling classes for ages 5 and up • On-site birthday parties • Swim time set aside specifically for families • Special “parent and tot” swim lessons designed to help your toddler become accustomed to the water Adults: • Love the Long Hours and Variety of Fitness Programs • Both group fitness and water aerobics classes, with sessions scheduled at times convenient for working parents, stay-at-home moms, and shift employees • Private adult swim lessons • Dance classes (Shag, Swing, etc.) • League basketball and volleyball play, as well as nightly “pickup” games • Lap swimming in the 25-yard lap pool • Relaxation and physical therapy in the large therapy pool • Staff assistance with fitness program design and proper equipment usage 11 ARTS & CULTURE www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Clemson University’s carillon concerts are a special treat. The 47 bells atop Tillman Hall on campus offer a wide repertoire - from show tunes to holiday carols and special concerts. The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts is Clemson University’s home for the performing arts. The state-of-the-art facility opened in 1994 and is comprised of 1,000-seat proscenium theatre, a black box theatre, and recital hall. The main hall features computer controlled lighting systems, a multi-channel Allen and Heath soundboard, a Meyer speaker system and a 66’ flyloft. The center presents more than 75 performances each year, including Broadway touring shows, international chamber music ensembles, Clemson student productions and family entertainment. Peace Center for the Performing Arts is widely recognized as one of the most acoustically superior venues in the nation. The Peace Center has hosted a wide variety of troupes, groups, quartets, quintets and orchestras. Home of the Greenville Symphony, led by Maestro Edvard Tchivzhel, the Peace Center featured “A Celebration with Yo-Yo Ma” in May of 2004. The Bi-Lo Center, just a few short blocks away from the Peace Center, has been host to an incredibly wide variety of acts over the past several years. Eric Clapton, Bette Middler, Phish, Rod Stewart, Shania Twain and Neil Diamond, to name just a few, have been some of the headliners acts to appear in Greenville. 12 ARTS & CULTURE www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 As for museums, the region is best known for two impressive collections: the Andrew Wyeth Collection at the Greenville County Museum of Art, and the Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery, long recognized as the “largest collection of religious art in the Western Hemisphere.” Some of the Local Arts Organizations include: • Art Bomb • Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery • Carolina Ballet Theater • Carolina Youth Symphony • Centre Stage • Furman University’s Department of Theatre Arts • Greenville Chorale • Greenville Little Theatre • Greenville Symphony Orchestra • Metropolitan Arts Council • South Carolina Arts Commission • South Carolina Ballet • South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities • South Carolina Water Color Society • The BI-LO Center • The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts (Clemson) • The Carolina Arts • The Children’s Theatre • The Children’s Museum • The Fine Arts Center • The Greenville County Museum of Art • The Peace Center of Performing Arts • The Tri-State Sculptors • The Warehouse Theater • Upstate Visual Arts • Upstate History Museum 13 THEATER www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 For those who are thespian-minded, the region certainly has no shortage of excellent theatrical facilities and productions. From Broadway-level productions at the Peace Center to cutting-edge theatre at Centre Stage, to Greenville Little Theater and the SC Children’s Theatre productions to the hilarious local satires of Café and Then Some, Greenville can offer something to your liking. 2012-2013 SAMPLE of Productions and Events Foothills Playhouse: Seussical Jr. The Haunting See How They Run Peace Center: Mary Poppins Blue Man Group Jersey Boys July Centre Stage: Angel Street Miracle on 34 Street Rock ‘n Roll Forever Little Theater: Dracula Bites Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Jersey Lily Elvis Has Left The Building Children’s Theatre: Sound of Music Jingle Bells Batman Smells Charlotte’s Web Also nearby is the newly renovated Falls Park and is home to the Upstate Shakespeare Festival, one of the South’s premiere troupes dedicated to bringing the Bard to the masses. 14 LISTENING VENUES www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Music During The Week: The area offers a number of festivals and events from April to October to whet your appetite for music. On Wednesdays, enjoy the family friendly Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series, which provides a variety of musical styles including jazz, country, patriotic, rock & roll, blues and reggae. On Thursdays at Piazza Bergamo, enjoy Downtown Alive, a weekly fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council, featuring a mixture of pop, blues, acoustic and reggae performances. And, on Fridays, enjoy Main Street Fridays, providing some of the best local, regional and national talent in a variety of music. Children’s activities are also included in this family-friendly event. Other outdoor musical events include the bluegrasstinged Music on the Mountain at Roper Mountain Science Center and the more standards-oriented Music by the Lake held at Furman University during the warmer months. The City of Greenville has recently inaugurated its Acoustic Café series, a program designed to encourage street performers to show off their talents on Main Street.You can find flautists, cellists, bluegrass pickers and many more folks “playing for their dinner” in our tree-lined downtown streets. Listening venues in the area providing access to such great acts as Hot Tuna, the Subdudes, Damien Rice, Arlo Guthrie, Doc Watson and many, many more. Some of these venues are: • Handlebar Listening Room • Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe • The Brown Street Club • Purple Onion (Landrum, SC) • Orange Peel Social Aide and Pleasure Club (Asheville, NC) There is truly something for every listening taste, every weekend, & most every night! 15 LOCAL ARTIST SCENE / GALLERIES & MORE www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 The Rudolph Lee Gallery (in Lee Hall) on the Clemson University campus, regularly stages art exhibitions during the academic year that primarily highlights the work of students, faculty and area artists. The Fran Hanson Discovery Center is the visitor center for the South Carolina Botanical Garden and new home of the Garden Gift Shop! Coffee, soft drinks and snacks are available to enjoy on the patio or to carry with you on your garden adventure. The Discovery Center features a rotating art exhibit of work by local artists. Meet the Featured Artist on the 3rd Saturday of the Month on Friends of the Garden Day. Also on the campus of Clemson University is the Hendrix Student Center’s 163-seat McKissisk Theater which shows first-run films and documentaries. Less than 30 minutes south of Pickens County, Anderson offers exhibits of the art at the Anderson Arts Center and further south at the Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson College. The area is home to more than 65 art galleries. Many of these are included in the annual Open Studios event, an opportunity for the public to see how artists work in their studios. Based on similar events in San Francisco, Seattle and Boston, Open Studios allows one to step inside the private area where the profession actually happens. The Art Bomb Company is a recently created non-profit organization that provides working studio space for local area artists and seeks to promote visual arts in the South Carolina Upstate area. Sixteen artists currently work in this space including potters, photographers, painters and metal smiths. 16 ART INSTRUCTION & FILM MAKING www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Art Instruction: For more of a hands-on approach to the arts, the region offers a number of learning studios. The Greenville Woodworkers Guild exists to improve the woodworking skills at local crafts. For those who want to pursue more traditional arts, Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. The school offers workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The nearby mountains of North Carolina are also home to the Southern Highlands Crafts Guild. Second in age only to the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts, the Guild now represents over 700 craftspeople in 293 counties of 9 southeastern states. Film Making: If film is your passion, you should know that the region is home to one of the most acclaimed independent filmmakers in the south. Jeff Summerel and Bud Anderson of Spontaneous Productions have directed and produced such acclaimed films as Vision Problems and Kudzulla, a hilarious send-up best described as “Ed Wood-meets-Mystery Science Theater.” Also located in the area is Pigeon Pie Films, a studio focusing on documenting the culture of the Appalachian region. South Carolina has been the location for shooting a number of major motion pictures, including Mel Gibson’s The Patriot, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Forrest Gump, The Prince of Tides as well as the recently-released Radio. 17 REGIONAL FESTIVALS www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Pickens Azalea Festival - “When the azaleas are blooming in Pickens, South Carolina, the little town celebrates! The Pickens Azalea Festival is like a large family reunion given by local civic groups for area folks and those that have been away for a few years. They also welcome folks who have never lived in Pickens to come join the fun.” Held in April on Main Street in Pickens. This one-day event offers children’s games, a complete variety of foods, arts and crafts, and live entertainment during the day. Admission is free. For more info, call 864.878.3258 Easley Livin’, Pickens - In May of each year, a business expo and festival including crafts, vendors, entertainment and local restaurant specialties. For more info, call 864.859.2693 Blue Ridge Fest, Pickens - This two-day event is held in May with all proceeds going to charity. Friday offers a night of beach music and a car show followed by a Bike Run on Saturday. For more info, call (864) 878-6326. July 3rd Clemsonfest, Clemson - On the evening before Independence Day, Clemsonfest kicks off numerous area festivals and is the only opportunity to see a major fireworks display over beautiful Lake Hartwell. Join thousands of revelers for family fun in the early evening with games, food, and crafts. Later enjoy doing South Carolina’s official dance, the Shag, to the best of hot beach groups such as the Tams as the fireworks ring in the 4th. For more info, call (864) 654-1200 or visit us at www.clemsonchamber.org. Big League World Series, Easley - In August of each year, the International Big League World Series is played in the J.B. Owens Recreation Complex. This includes a parade and a community outing. For more info, call (864) 855-7933. Central Heritage Festival, Central - This annual event highlights the charming town of Central’s rich history and provides a variety of family entertainments including the Drover’s Old Time Medicine Show and others. The festival also showcases local arts and crafts, thrills the children in the special kids’ area and provides a variety of food and beverages for everybody. It is usually on the last Saturday of September that the Clemson Tigers are not playing football at home. For more info, call us at (864) 639-5608 or visit us at www.clemsonchamber.org. Old Country Fair, Liberty - This annual fall festival is held in Sarlin Community Square, downtown Liberty. Featuring kids’ rides, game booths, crafts, food vendors, car show, local restaurant dining and live entertainment all day. Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkintown - Pumpkintown, South Carolina is a humble place on the map, but once each year it attracts more than 30,000 pilgrims for a monumental harvest tradition, the annual Pumpkin Festival. With a gorgeous setting in the Oolenoy valley and within view of scenic Table Rock, the Pumpkin Festival will take you out in nature where you can best enjoy the crisp, cool days of early October in South Carolina. After finding almost anything possible “pumpkin,” you can sit back and admire autumn’s early glory of color, meet up with old friends, and applaud the local entertainment. Aside from real pumpkins for sale, you will find autumn crafts, pumpkin pies, and--yes--even pumpkin butter. The locals make it best and sell out early. 18 REGIONAL FESTIVALS www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Music festivals are popular in the area. The annual MerleFest, held in memory of Doc Watson’s son, is held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This four-day celebration of American Music brings together the best names in bluegrass music. In 2004, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer, David Grisman Quintet, Nickel Creek, Donna the Buffalo, Tony Rice Unit, Earl Scruggs, Gillian Welch, Hot Tuna and more than 80 other acts will be appearing during the event. A bit closer to Pickens - in fact, less than an hour’s drive away - is the annual Flat Rock Music Festival. This very family-friendly festival blends camping, boating and swimming with music, food and crafts. Some of the acts in September 2003 included: the Nashville Bluegrass Band (of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” fame), Acoustic Syndicate, Southern Culture on the Skids, the Steep Canyon Rangers and the Cigar Store Indians. Two other world-renowned festivals are held just a short drive from Pickens. In nearby Greenville County, Freedom Weekend Aloft is held during Memorial Day Weekend. 100 of the country’s premiere hot-air balloonists fly at this invitation-only event. Crowds of more than 175,000 persons enjoy tethered balloon rides, great food and entertainment from a wide variety of performers. In 2003, headliners included Trace Atkins, David Lee Roth and the Doobie Brothers. For those with a bit of the Scottish spirit within, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering O’ Scottish Clans is held during the second full weekend of each July. Approximately 30,000 individuals representing 135 clans attend the event. The Games include such traditional favorites as tossing the caber, herding sheep, throwing the hammer as well as dancing, drumming and the ever-popular parade of the tartans. 19 HOUSING www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 • There are nearly 900 residential subdivisions in Pickens County that offer all manner of living styles an amenities from modest comforts to sheer opulence. • The median price asked for a house in Pickens is $123,500 compared to the national average of $166,200. • The value of residential new construction permits has risen nearly 54.7% in the past year. • Pickens County’s population has risen 7.6% in the past ten years and it is projected to remain on that trend over the next decade. • The median cost for rental property in Pickens is $503. U.S. Bureau of the Census 2010 Pickens County, South Carolina • Population of 119,224 • 51,244 housing units in Pickens • 45,228 households • 2.5 persons per household • 29,540 families • 3.0 persons per family • Per capita income is $27,385 • Median family income is $40,110 20 EDUCATION www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 SAT Composite Scores-- School District of Pickens County 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 District 1497 1525 1547 1523 1541 State 1461 1445 1443 1436 1422 Nation 1511 1493 1497 1500 1498 ACT Composite Scores-- School District of Pickens County 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 District 21.5 22.6 22.9 22.6 22.6 State 19.9 19.8 20.0 20.1 20.2 Nation 21.1 21.1 21.0 21.1 21.2 • Newsweek (6/16/09) ranks D.W. Daniel High School (Central) in Nation’s Top 1,500 “Best High Schools” • US News and World Report names D.W. Daniel High School 2012 (Central) South Carolina’s top traditional Public High School • Ranked #1 in South Carolina for Average SAT scores among county-wide school districts- 2011 • Ranked #1 in South Carolina for Average ACT scores among county-wide school districts- 2011 • $374M School Building Program • 4 New High Schools, 2 Elementary Schools & State-of-the-Art Technology Center 21 EDUCATION Our Achievement www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Federal Report Card The school district earned a “B” with a score of 83.7, which exceeds the state’s expectation for performance. Graduation Rate P PA st S State Report Card The school district earned an Absolute rating of “Good” and a Growth rating of “Below Average.” The Absolute rating compares the district to a statewide standard, while the Growth rating compares the district to its own achievement in the previous year. E L M S S W High School Exit Exam ACT Trend SAT Trend K • • • • About Our High Schools The board of trustees has set the district’s top instructional goal to be an 80 percent on-time graduation rate. Our schools have made steady progress toward that goal for several years, and the dropout rate has also declined for three years in a row. Although our students’ scores on the ACT and SAT dipped in 2013, they still remain competitive compared to the state and nation. 22 K • st • • • st • av EDUCATION www.AlliancePickens.com P.O. Box 149 Our Beliefs 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SCfirst 29657 • Students are our priority. Phone: 864.898.1500 • The pursuit of excellence is Fax: 864.843.5790 essential. • h ed Dr. Kelly U. Pew, Ph. D. Superintendent Contact: ide system located in northwestern South A. Ray Farley II, CEcD e areas: Dacusville, Daniel, Easley, Liberty, Executive Director nts. Accredited through AdvancED, SDPC [email protected] ty School System.” es Points of Pride Our District • • • • • • • s. ons ort. • • g A safe, caring learning environment must be provided for all students and staff. Learning and education are life-long processes. All students must have equitable educational opportunities. All people are unique and valuable. All people can learn and contribute to society. Education is a shared responsibility. Education is the key to success. Cultural diversity promotes full development of the individual and society. The “parent” is a child’s first teacher. Today’s schools shape tomorrow’s workforce. Points of Pride • • • • • • • • • The district’s on-time graduation rate rose for the fourth consecutive year to 76.8 percent, surpassing the average rate for South Carolina districts with a similar poverty rate. 17 schools earned Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for achievement or closing the achievement gap. Every SDPC school scored Average or above on the 2013 SC Department of Education report card’s Absolute ratings. 11 schools scored Excellent, 11 scored Good, and three were Average. Darleen Sutton, a first grade teacher at Pickens Elementary School, was named the 2013 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. The district partnered with Col. Patrick Forrester, a NASA astronaut and pilot of the space shuttle, to advance its STEM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). SDPC successfully launched the Sailboat Challenge, a 2nd grade STEM project, and the Glider Challenge, a STEM project for 8th grade students. Both programs built on the success of the JetToy Challenge for 5th graders. The Career and Technology Center launched the first School-To-Registered-Apprenticeship program in the Upstate through a partnership with United Tool and Mold and Apprenticeship Carolina. Students improved their passage rate on the High School Exit Exam for the fifth year in a row. SDPC received the Live United Award from the United Way of Pickens County for its employee giving campaign. The SDPC was one of the charity’s top three donors with more than $50,000 raised. 23 BAPTIST EASLEY HOSPITAL www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Baptist Easley leads the region in the number and volume of inpatient and outpatient services provided because of the depth and breadth of available services including general, acute and critical care; the number and diversity of specialty physicians providing the full array of treatment from primary to emergency care and beyond; care that is delivered with compassion by a staff that records high levels of satisfaction in their work and achieves the highest level of patient satisfaction in the nation; and because of its emphasis on leadership development, patient safety and quality outcomes. All patients are provided needed care regardless of ability to pay. The 1,138-bed system in Columbia, a JCAHO-accredited institution, has more than 8,400 employees and 1,000 physicians. The hospitals of Palmetto Health provide care for 70 percent of the residents of Richland County and more than 55 percent of the healthcare for the combined Richland/Lexington county area. The latest technology and treatment protocols go hand-in-hand with quality patient care. Palmetto Health is composed of four outstanding hospitals—Palmetto Health Richland and Baptist in Columbia, and the Heart Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Columbia. Baptist Easley Hospital, (109 licensed beds), located in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina, is a leading community hospital which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. The hospital is the primary healthcare service provider in Pickens County. As of October 1, 2009, Palmetto Health entered a joint venture with Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center to operate Baptist Easley Hospital. Our hospitals are highly respected, long-time members of the community. Each year, we treat nearly a half million patients, welcome more than 6,600 babies into the world, treat more than 80,000 pediatric patients and 3,000 cancer patients, accommodate more than 160,000 Emergency department visits, perform nearly 50,000 mammograms, and make close to 32,000 home care visits. The system also boasts Pastoral Counseling Centers in Columbia and Easley, as well as a strong occupational health program for area employers, HealthWorks. Owned Facilities Palmetto Health Richland (649 beds) Palmetto Health Baptist (489 beds) Baptist Easley Hospital (109 beds with Greenville Hospital System) Palmetto Health Parkridge Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital Palmetto Health Heart Hospital 24 CANNON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Cannon Memorial Hospital in Pickens, SC, is the result of a country doctor’s dream to bring medical care to the people of Pickens County. Beginning more than 50 years ago as a three-room clinic, Cannon Memorial today is a modern, high-tech facility where patients not only receive the best medical care, but also individual care, attention, and genuine concern that is so often overlooked in today’s health care arena. Dr. E. Gaine Cannon founded the first Cannon Hospital located on Pendleton Street and named it as a memorial to his father Dr. James Cannon. In 1949 the hospital grew to an 88-bed facility and was sold to community leaders who formed a non-profit organization. In 1982 a new hospital was built at its current location on W.G Acker Drive, and because of the growth of the community, the Outpatient Services building was added in 1991. Today, Cannon Memorial is a 55-bed facility with staff physicians who specialize in such areas as urology, orthopedics, cardiology, and gastroenterology. The hospital also added medical practices including family practices locations, surgical and orthopedics. Today, our hospital offers a full range of state-of-the-art medical technology, equipment, and services to meet the health care needs of the community. The expanded services of today’s hospital include a 24-hour Emergency Department, a full service laboratory, on site CT and MRI , physical therapy, critical care unit, sleep clinic, wellness programs for both children and adults, and diagnostic imaging for both inpatient and outpatient. We sponsor health fairs, flu clinics, CPR training, fitness classes, support groups, and many other community wellness services through our Wellness Center located at the hospital. In 2009, Cannon Memorial Hospital signed a partnership agreement with AnMed Health in Anderson, SC, to create a new healthcare network. AnMed Health is affiliated with Carolinas HealthCare System out of Charlotte, NC. The agreement will allow Cannon the opportunity to enhance patient care services and lower cost through economies of scale. The affiliation was intended to prepare our community hospital for the changes that will occur in the future with the healthcare delivery system. Click here to learn more about the services offered at AnMed Health – http://www.anmedhealth.org/ Cannon Hospital is built on a firm foundation of rich history, a vision for advanced health care and genuine compassion for the people of this community and will be able to enhance this tradition with our new affiliation. Cannon Memorial Hospital…..Traditional Values. Personal Service. Quality Care – Since 1947. 25 GREENVILLE HOSPITAL SYSTEM UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Greenville Hospital System is a not-for-profit academic health organization committed to medical excellence through research and education and is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). Our five campuses provide integrated healthcare to communities across Greenville County and beyond through a tertiary referral and education center, community hospitals, a long term acute care hospital, nursing home, outpatient facilities and wellness centers. Greenville Hospital System at a Glance • Physician education affiliations with Medical University of South Carolina and University of South Carolina Medical School. • Nursing education and allied health affiliations with Bob Jones University, Greenville Technical College, University of South Carolina Upstate, Clemson University, Tri-County Technical College, and Lander University, among others • Eight residency programs with a total of 130 residents • Approximately 1,000 physicians on the Medical Staff • Over 7,500 employees (See job listings) • Total 1,110 beds Our Facilities Greenville Memorial Hospital Campus: 750-bed Greenville Memorial Hospital tertiary referral and academic center, including Children’s Hospital; Roger C. Peace Hospital--Rehabilitation (53 beds); Marshall I. Pickens Hospital--Behavioral Health (63 beds + 7 beds in Children’s program) • Greer Medical Campus: Greer Memorial Hospital (58 beds), Cottages at Brushy Creek (144 beds) • Simpsonville Medical Campus: Hillcrest Memorial Hospital (43 beds) • North Greenville Hospital: Long Term Acute Care: (45 beds) • Patewood Medical Campus: Patewood Hospital; outpatient surgery center, primary care offices, Outpatient Center. 26 PICKENS COUNTY www.AlliancePickens.com Contact: A. Ray Farley II, CEcD Executive Director [email protected] P.O. Box 149 1390 Smith Grove Rd Liberty, SC 29657 Phone: 864.898.1500 Fax: 864.843.5790 Pickens County offers unparalleled quality of life. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Lakes Jocassee, Keowee and Hartwell to pristine golf courses and golfing communities to the nearby amenities of downtown Greenville. In a single day in Pickens County, you could view Lake Jocassee from the Blue Ridge Mountains, take in a round of golf at a world class Jack Nicklaus or Tom Fazio designed golf course, take a boat ride on Lake Keowee and still have time to have for upscale dining. Consider This... Pickens County • Pickens County’s quality of life is second to none. Within 30 minutes you could be in the mountains looking down at the pristine waters of Lake Jocassee. Within 30 minutes you could be skimming across the blue waters of Lake Keowee. Within 30 minutes you could be dining in a four star restaurant followed by a symphonic orchestral performance. In three hours you could be tooling down freshly powdered slopes. Within S o ufourthours h youCcould a berwading o lfor isand n dollars a in. the . . Atlantic Ocean. an area steeped in history and tradition yet adapting to twenty-first century technologies and job skills. In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, by freshwater Jocassee, Hartwell and Keowee, thecommunities. moderate • Pickens County has a lapped lower cost oflakes living than surrounding year-round climate, water and mountain sports, nationally acclaimed golf courses, rich cultural events and ease of daily living make#1 Pickens an exceptional placefor to live. Companies SAT cite low scores cost of living, quality workforce, • Ranked in County South Carolina Average among • Ranked #1 in South Carolina for Average ACT scores among up a seamless process. Industrial park sites are immediately available, as well as a selection of quality builders county-wide school districts- 2011 for customizing plant and office facilities to individual employer specifications, or adapting existing sites to new occupants. The unique qualities for living and working in Pickens County, South Carolina make it an easy choice! taxcounty-wide incentives, minimal school intrusion from state and local governments, and cost- effective material and product districts2011 transportation as making Pickens County an exceptional place to work. The hospitable business environment and supportive local college and university training programs render relocation, expansion or business start- • Pickens County has zero unionization. For more information on how Pickens County can benefit your business, call A. Ray Farley II, CEcD, Executive Director at (864) 898-1500 ext. 100 or e-mail rfarley @alliancepickens.com. Visit our website at h t t p : / / w w w. A l l i a n c e P i c ke n s . c o m / i n f o . a s p Live where you work! Love where you live! 27