Fire Claims Two Lives

Woman and Child
Die In House Fire

  A  woman and her grandchild died in a house fire in Saluda County near Lake Murray Fri., April 5.
  Chief Deputy Coroner Dudley Rushton identified the two people who died in the fire as Karen Metts Blanset, 63, and 1-year-old John-Michael Burton Hall
  While Rushton remained on the scene, Coroner Keith Turner accompanied the ambulance transporting the victims to the hospital, where Mrs. Blanset and the child were pronouced dead.
  An autopsy at a Greenville hospital revealed both victims died of smoke inhalation, Turner said.
  Blanset called the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office at about 9:30 a.m. Friday and told dispatch her house was on fire, according to Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell.
  When deputies arrived at the 104 Birdsong Lane residence, they found a 4-year-old in the front yard asking for help.
  The doors to the home were locked. Once firefighters arrived, they entered the house and found Blanset lying on the floor and the child on the second floor, Cockrell said.
  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
  Along with the sheriff’s and coroner’s offices, responding agencies included the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, State Law Enforcement Division, EMS and four fire departments: Saluda, Midlands Circle, Hollywood and Old Towne.

Garden Club of Saluda
Celebrates 90th Anniversary

  The Garden Club of Saluda met on Monday, April 1 at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church social hall to celebrate a milestone in the club’s long history. 
  On September 26, 1929, Miss Perrine Crouch established the organization which had as its main purpose to beautify the Saluda County Courthouse grounds.  At that time the courthouse was relatively new as were the grounds.  The club’s first project, with some help from the county, was the planting of shrubbery and the maintenance the new plants would require.  Under the leadership of Miss Perrine and other dedicated gardeners, this project would continue for many years.
  To celebrate its long history, the club held an old-fashioned tea where each member had the option of wearing hats and gloves, reminiscent of those long ago days when no lady would have attended such an event without the proper attire.  Brenda Mitchell was the hostess for the tea where she explained the intricacies of the low tea and the high tea and the proper order of serving the tea and foods.  She had decorated the social hall with beautiful teapots, floral arrangements, and lace cloths to add to the thoroughly lady-like atmosphere. 
  Bonnie Sawyer, current president, gave a brief synopsis of the 90 years that make up the history of the club.
  One interesting note is that The Garden Club of Saluda predates the Federated Garden Club of South Carolina.  Miss Perrine was one of ten representatives from other garden clubs in South Carolina who met at Trinity Parish House in Columbia on April 22, 1930 for an organizational meeting of the state club.  That club had its first meeting on December 9, 1930.
  Dressing up was fun, if not a little silly, for the members of The Garden Club of Saluda, but the work that the club carries out from year to year is still as important as it was 90 years ago when Saluda was a young, growing town and county.

Come Show Your Support!
4th Annual
Saluda County Special Olympics

April 12, 2019 (9:00-1:30)
(Rain Date/April 26th)
Saluda High School
Special Guest:
Craig Scott, motivational speaker

Hancock Legacy

CHARLIE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED - The sisters of the late County Council Chairman Don Hancock, Charlyn Staubes and Ann Coker, center, announced the Charlie Foundation at Saluda High School Fri., Mar. 29. Pictured are members of the Board of Directors, Keller Staubes, Jr, Katie Staubes Baturin, Justin Coker, Tyler Coker, and  Alan Metts, and Advisory Council including Jimmy Crawford, Rusty Denning, Dr. Harvey Livington, Sarah Longshore, Peter Manning, Supt. Spearman, Ross Terrell, Jr., and Bill Whitfield, as well as Sen. Floyd Nicholson, Rep. Cal Forrest and Dr. Rex Brooks. (SHS photo by Dean Roesner)

 Don Hancock

Saluda County High School Graduates Can
Now Attend Piedmont Tech Tuition Free

  Saluda County high school graduates can now attend Piedmont Technical College free of charge, thanks to a legacy left the county by the late County Council Chairman Don Hancock.
  The announcement came at Saluda High School at a special program on Fri., Mar. 29.
  Before his passing in Aug. 2017,  Hancock partnered with his two sisters, Charlyn Staubes and Ann Coker, to create The Charlie Foundation. One of its purposes would be to support higher education opportunities for all students in the county.
  From this point on, any high school graduate who lives in Saluda County will be able to attend Piedmont Technical College for free. There are an unlimited number of scholarships available, and the only requirement is that the student be accepted into Piedmont.
  Distinguished guests at the announcement included State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, Representative Cal Forrest, Senator Floyd Nicholson, and Dr. Ray Brooks, Piedmont Tech president.
  Supt. Spearman, Dr. Brooks and Ms. Staubes were the featured speakers at the program.
  Mrs. Coker and Ms. Staubes first announced the foundation at the Sept. 2017 meeting of Saluda County Council.
  “Because of his love of the county, Don wanted to continue to be a part of its progress, even after his death,” Mrs. Coker said. “He wanted to establish a foundation to benefit the county. Don wasn’t quite sure how this foundation would work, but he wanted a non-profit organization, focusing on economic development, education and quality of life for the residents of Saluda County.
  Don wasn’t a showy persons and didn’t want the foundation to hold his name. So, he chose to name it The Charlie Foundation, partly because of our Daddy’s first name.
  During Don’s last hospitalization, the three of use enthusiastically spent many hours brainstorming ideas and dreaming of the potential of The Charlie Foundation.”
  Members of the Board of Directors include Hancock’s sisters, Ms. Staubes, Mrs. Coker, his nephews and nieces, Keller Staubes, Jr, Katie Staubes Baturin, Justin Coker, Tyler Coker, and his neighbor Alan Metts.
  Serving on the advisory committee are Jimmy Crawford, Rusty Denning, Dr. Harvey Livington, Sarah Longshore, Peter Manning, Supt. Spearman, Ross Terrell, Jr., and Bill Whit-field.
  Kaylyn Herlong, SHS student body president, welcomed the guests to the program. The colors were presented by the NNDCC Color Guard, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Petty Officer 1st Class Jasmine Meetze.
  FFA Chaplain Mason Haynie gave the invocation. Following the speeches, Transavia Etheredge and Brantley Price of the Saluda High Chorus led in the singing of the Alma Mater.

Alcohol Awareness Month 2019
Parents are more than an ounce of prevention

  In a society that continually promotes alcohol and drug use at every level — even here in Saluda County — the need to provide education on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and its effect on children has never been greater. To focus on that goal, April is designated as Alcohol Awareness Month.
  Education on this critical threat to the health of our community needs to begin as early as possible in people’s lives. Properly educated, children and youth are much more resistant to these dangers and better able to make healthy choices about substance use. Alcohol and drug use tends to begin in mid-to-late adolescence, and the earlier the age at which someone starts drinking, the greater the risk that he or she will develop alcohol-related problems later in life. In fact, research says that youth who begin drinking before the age of 15 have been found to be 5 times more likely to have addiction problems.
  Various factors can contribute to underage drinking, from insecurity to a desire for social acceptance, and while the percentage of teenagers who drink alcohol is slowly declining, numbers are still quite high. According to 2018 data, in Saluda, nearly 40 percent of youth report drinking by the age of 12, and 44 percent of drinking youth report binge drinking (drinking five or more drinks in a single session). Also, almost 20 percent of youth say that alcohol is a central part of their social life. Drinking alcohol undoubtedly is a part of American culture. Conversations between parents and children about its risks should equally be a cultural norm.
  Alcohol’s differing effects and parents’ changing role in their children’s lives as they mature and seek greater independence can make talking about alcohol a challenge and parents may have trouble setting concrete family policies for alcohol use. Yet, parents are the most effective force in preventing and reducing adolescent risky behaviors and helping our nation’s youth lead healthier lives. Research shows that kids who learn about the dangers of alcohol and drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use these substances than kids who don’t learn about such dangers from their parents.
  Parents influence whether and when adolescents begin drinking, as well as how their children drink. Family policies about adolescent drinking in the home and the way parents themselves drink are important.
  So, what can parents do to help minimize the likelihood that their adolescent will choose to drink and that such drinking, if it does occur, will become problematic? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services studies have shown that it is important to talk early and often, in developmentally appropriate ways, with children and teens about your concerns—and theirs—regarding alcohol.
  Adolescents who know their parents’ opinions about youth drinking are more likely to fall in line with their expectations. Establish policies early on, and be consistent in setting expectations and enforcing rules. Adolescents do feel that parents should have a say in decisions about drinking, and they maintain this deference to parental authority as long as they perceive the message to be legitimate.
  Work with other parents to monitor where kids are gathering and what they are doing. Being involved in the lives of adolescents is key to keeping them safe. With open, respectful communication and explanations of boundaries and expectations, parents can influence their children’s health. This is especially important in young people’s decisions regarding whether and how to drink—decisions that can have lifelong consequences. Ultimately, there are many influences on whether an adolescent begins to drink alcohol at a young age, including a child’s home life and whether parents have talked with their children about rules for alcohol use.
  Whether an adolescent’s peers drink alcohol also influences his or her choice about alcohol use and another powerful influence is the media: movies and television that depict alcohol use, music that includes lyrics about alcohol use, and advertisements for different brands of alcohol.
  Reducing underage drinking is critical to securing a healthy future for America’s youth and requires a cooperative effort from parents, schools, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, the entertainment industry, alcohol manufacturers/retailers and young people themselves.

Westview Behavioral Health Services
Contact: Hugh Gray, (803) 276-5690
*Saluda Behavorial Health is now affiliated with Westview

Mrs. SC America

Former Saludan Crowned
Mrs. South Carolina America

  Former Saludan Victoria Hopkins Halydier was crowned Mrs. South Carolina America on Jan. 26.
  A 2005 graduate of Saluda High School, Mrs. Halydier is the daughter of John Allen and Linda Oswald and Todd and Tracey Hopkins. Her first job was at the Saluda Subway.
  Victoria went on the Lander University and graduated in 2009 with a degree in business administration management.
  From 2015-2017 she worked as executive director of the Original Six Foundation. She now works at Blue Cross-Blue Shield as political action committee manager.
  Victoria and husband Nathan, along with a few others, launched a non-profit organization called Threaded Missions in Oct. 2018 that is designed to help fund adoptions.
  Mrs. Halydier is very honored to be the 2019 Mrs. S.C. America.

LEGION POST CONTRIBUTES TO LIBRARY - Pictured left to right:  Commander John Hood, presents a donation to Saluda County Librarian Lisa Lyon .  Past Commander Al Butler looking on.   Ms. Lyon was the keynote speaker at the March meeting of Saluda American Legion Post 65.  “Saluda County Library, A Place to Grow”. She shared information on Library Resources: Books, DVDs, Periodicals and Computers.  Electronic resources include DISCUS (South Carolina’s Virtual Library) and Overdrive (ebooks and eAudiobooks). Programs: Story time (ages 0-5), Tween STEAM (ages 9-12), TAB -Teen Advisory Board, Ages 13-18), Book Club (adults) and Summer Reading Program (All Ages).  Services provided by the library include Fax, Copy and Print, Scanning and Lamination. The library branch at Ridge Spring is located at 108 Maintenance Shop Circle. The Library also has what is called a “Little Free Library”.  Of course you are welcomed to  join the Friends of the Saluda County Library.  For more information, visit the County Libraries or get on the web: www.saludalibrary.org. The Legionaries thank Ms. Lyons and her staff for the great service they are providing our county.

Two Miles Of
Motorcycles

The funeral procession for famous biker Thomas “Grub” Freeland Jr. came through Saluda around 1 pm Sat., Mar. 23. The procession of bikes was two miles long. Saluda County and Town officers provided the escort and traffic control.