Vol. 1, No. 4 |
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Work... Work... Work... by Anne Fulcher Work is defined as exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil. The Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville communities have seen many hard working individuals in their histories. Work in the year 2015 does not resemble the days of William Gregg and the Graniteville Mill. According to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, the Graniteville Historic District consists of the Graniteville Canal, which dates to 1846; the original 2 & ½ story Graniteville Mill constructed of locally quarried granite and completed in 1849; twenty-six original workers’ houses in Early Gothic Revival style, most of whose exteriors are virtually unaltered; nine other units of early mill housing; the 1847 Graniteville Academy where operatives children were educated at company expense; and the Early Gothic Revival St. John’s Methodist Church, designed by Charleston architect E.B. White and completed in 1849. Most of these structures were either constructed by William Gregg or under his close supervision, and many still retain much of their original architectural vitality. While building the mill, Gregg supervised construction of a company town, thus bringing into
existence the first typical southern mill village. By providing cheap housing, free schools, churches, and stores and by maintaining personal supervision over the morals and everyday lives of his operatives, Gregg established a pattern that would be emulated by scores of cotton mill owners throughout the region. Listed in the National Register June 2, 1978; Designated a National Historic Landmark June 2, 1978. Today’s workers do not have the luxury of having an employer that builds schools for the worker’s children, a shopping center for the family to have easy access to, or homes for the employee and their families to live in. In addition to these absences, there are many Federal Government Regulations that protect the employee AND the employer. Most recently, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, workers who worked thirty hours a week or more were deemed eligible for Health Insurance Benefits if the employer had more than one hundred employees. Yes, this law has caused many organizations to restructure their business plan to accommodate the new law. One of the most controversial current labor-related topics is the so-called “right to work” laws. Depending on who you ask, these right to work laws
have been passed to protect the right of workers to not be forced into union membership. Conversely, these laws were enacted to help businesses pay less for labor by impeding unions’ ability to organize and provide the better benefits and pay that almost always accompany union jobs. Either way, these laws mean jobs can’t require union membership as part of working anywhere in the states that have passed them. South Carolina adopted the so-called “right to work” statute in 1954. Therefore, these aren’t new laws to South Carolina meaning many South Carolinas may be unfamiliar with the benefits and drawbacks of labor union membership. South Carolina’s mean hourly pay in May 2013 was $14.56, in comparison to $16.87 for the entire country. And now there are child labor laws that were not in existence in the era of William Gregg. Currently in South Carolina rules and regulations on child labor are identical to those adopted by the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. These rules limit the work hours of persons 14 and 15 years old and prohibit the employment of persons under 18 years of age in occupations determined to be hazardous. There are exemptions to these rules when it comes to families that own farms and
have their children working with them as long as the children are not in harm’s way. It is wonderful to see new companies coming to the GVW area bringing with them many jobs for members of the community and surrounding areas. Thanks to Bridgestone Aiken County Plant, Recleim and MTU, just to name a few, that have already established deep roots in our town and to the new industries that are being courted to come to our quaint villages. It is thrilling to see these new organizations desire to assist growth and redevelopment in an area that once were homes to some of the most thriving organizations in the world. Keep your eyes and ears open, each and every day another company CEO sets their sites on this area known for the warm climate, even warmer people, and employees with a work ethic like no other. The people in the GVW areas were raised by generations of hard working, loyal employees and we carry on those work ethics that were instill in us as children. Now’s the time to show the new businesses coming into town how happy we are to have them. We can work side by side with these new employers to make our Graniteville, Vaucluse and Warrenville area a better place to live.
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Little Free Library
By Dr. James Abraham Good news! We have a library available to the entire community. Our library is located at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Graniteville. It is called the “Little Free Library” and yes, all of the books are available for everyone to use with no charge attached. That’s right, all of the books are free! The library is a partnership between the Aiken County Retired Educators Association and Bethlehem Baptist Church of Graniteville, S.C., to provide literacy opportunities in this community. The concept for this library has been used to provide free books to children and adults around the world. Dr. Marsha Harris and Dr. Darlene Rittel, who are retired teachers from our area, brought the idea to Dr. James Abraham, the pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church. After thoughtful consideration of the need for literacy improvement and economic progress, the library was started earlier this year in March. The committee at Bethlehem Baptist Church, which includes Lady Vickie Abraham, Minister Louisiana Sanders, Mrs. Elease Mathis, and Mrs. Tanya Gilmore, plans literacy events and coordinates the reading materials that all community members are invited to attend and use. More than 200 books have been donated to our community’s Little Free Library by a variety of organizations, church members and friends. These books cover all genres and reading levels. There are books for the youngest readers up through adults to enjoy. The concept invites all readers to find an interesting book, read it, and then return it for others to enjoy as well. Upon returning a book, readers are encouraged to find another one and continue the cycle of reading enjoyment. Our next literacy event, called a Read-In, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at 10:00 am.
GVW Report After an enthusiastic schedule of literacy presentations, all participants are treated to a lunch meal provided by the church. We want to extend a cordial invitation to every community member to come and see what our library and literacy programs have to offer at this event. Please come out and encourage other people, especially those who have school aged children to come. Let us also remember, the Little Free Library is for everyone. We want to see all of you at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Graniteville as we all build up this great community by increasing the reading strength of our community and subsequently elevating our overall abilities. For more information, call 803-663-4052. Bethlehem Baptist Church 271 Bethlehem Cir. Graniteville, SC 29829-2603 Dr. James Abraham, Pastor Sis. Tanya Gilmore, Church Clerk
Editor Anne Fulcher
Layout/Design Lauren A. Haley
Sponsors Medical University of South Carolina Aiken Regional Medical Center
Published by the Aiken Standard 326 Rutland Dr, Aiken, SC 29801
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Horse Creek Trust Vision for Employment Graniteville is already seeing the vision of the Horse Creek Trust, founded in 2015 for the purpose of establishing the future vision and redevelopment of the core mill facilities in Graniteville and Vaucluse, SC, via the introduction of Recleim Recycling. Recleim represents the first major employer in Graniteville since the catastrophic train derailment in 2005. Recleim is not only putting many valuable Graniteville workers back to work, it represents the
As America celebrates Labor Day, Recleim would like to reflect on the commitment and dedication of the Graniteville, Vaucluse and Warrenville area has shown our company. This area has always had a strong and powerful workforce - a workforce that is loyal and flexible to the opportunities and challenges that have come their way. The labor force availability was one reason William Gregg prospered in the area and will be instrumental Recleim’s success. The recycling industry, while different than the textile industry, does bring a lot to the community. Jobs are created and the cost of manufacturing is lower because materials can be reused. In addition, recycling creates new demand for more recycled products while reducing global warming and water pollution. Nationwide the recycling is a $236 billion industry employing more than 1.1 million workers. A few quick facts on recycling: • 10 tons of recycled steel prevents the same amount of emissions as 470 tree seedlings does in 10 years • Dumping plastics in a landfill means you are filling the landfill with a material that takes 100-400 years to break down • Glass bottles take 1 million years to break down in the landfill The future is bright in GVW as new industry and businesses come to the area. Recleim thanks you and looks forward to being a part of this community for many decades to come. For more about recycling, visit our Pinterest page.
most state-of-the-art appliance recycling technology in the world. With Graniteville as its headquarters, it is already working on expanding this technology throughout the United States for maximum efficiency and to relieve our nation’s landfills of unnecessary plastics and metals. Recleim’s recycling facilities are housed in the former Hickman Mill weave room, located in the center of town. The Hickman complex, including the former
mill itself and Hickman Hall, represents the Horse Creek Trust’s initial focus in establishing first class facilities for new employers and community services for Graniteville and Aiken County. The 1907 Hickman Hall building, which housed the former employment offices and community center for the mills and Graniteville community, is currently being renovated for the corporate offices of Recleim, the Horse Creek Trust and the Gregg Museum
and Visioning Center, which is being planned as the central gathering place for community stakeholders and visitors interested in Graniteville’s past, present and future. In addition to housing executive and administrative employees for these three entities, this beautifully renovated facility will also offer part time opportunities for docents, guides and volunteers
See Horse Creek Page 15
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Closet Christians
By Dr. Lynn Kirkland
Recently, after spending several days at the Hippodrome during the Augusta Futurity, a couple of the guys that attend Cowboy Church regularly were discussing the number of people that either came to our services or stopped by to talk to us to encourage us in the work we were doing. Their final assessment was that there is a large number of “closet Christians” that need to “come out of the closet” and take a stand for Jesus Christ. I believe that we have a great number of people that, for whatever reason, have not made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Even though they occasionally attend church and know all the “Christian lingo” they are actually seekers. They have something missing and are still seeking it. Let’s take a look at John 14:5&6 and Romans 1:16 to see what I am talking about.
John 14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?” John 14:6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. In John 14 we see that even though Thomas had spent three years with our Lord he was still doubtful but full of questions. Thomas was asking what most of the other disciples were thinking. You see, they believed all the time that Jesus would set up and earthly Kingdom and free them from Roman oppression. And then we call Thomas the Doubter and condemn him when the other disciples were no different in their beliefs than he was. Thomas just asked the questions.
We need to learn to recognize seekers in this day and age. They are still asking questions. Many are argumentative – trying to stir up controversy so as to keep their true feelings hidden. Some are immature believers, still sucking on the milk of the Word and never attaining the teeth for the meat. They are “closet Christians”. The ones that let someone else make the first move. The ones that are slightly ashamed of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul covered that in Romans 1. He recognized the Good News of Jesus Christ for what it really is: The power of God unto salvation to every one that believes. Today many educated people reject and condemn the Gospel. Political Correctness demands a strange sort of tolerance these days. You can pray to a universal god, but not Jesus. (Listen up School Board). We must be tolerant of Allah and universal god but no one must be tolerant of believers in the
Good News of Jesus Christ. In Romans 1:16 Paul says that The Good News is the power to save us from our lostness. He says that it is just-as-if we never sinned. This is Good News! This is the power of God! I hope somebody is shouting and saying Amen right now! Acts 1:8 declares that we will be witnesses when the power of the Holy Spirit comes on us! We will not be ashamed of the Gospel. Where do you stand today? Are you a seeker that thinks church membership is going to take you to Heaven? Or, are you a closet Christian that needs to grow up in Christ? Or, do you realize that you are lost, dying, and going to Hell? I can be reached at PastorLynn. ImpactMinistries@gmail.com or on Wednesdays at 6 PM or Sundays at 10:30 AM at Cowboy Church at The Hippodrome, 5540 Jefferson Davis Highway, North Augusta, SC.
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Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS) September 7 - ACTS Closed for Labor Day Coffee with Jojo, September 10, 6:00 pm at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 646.0451 Senior Food Saturday, September 19, 7:00 am at ACTS Coffee with Jojo, September 24, 6:00 pm at Smith Hazel Rec. Ctr., for more info or to make a reservation call 646.0451 Christ Central Graniteville Trinity Academy, at 6 Hickman St., is for ages 3 and 4 years. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Please contact Anita Stokes, Director, to register. Her number is 803 507-4032. After School Mentoring is held at Hope Center, 3 Hickman St. on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Each child (ages 5-12) is matched with a volunteer mentor for friendship and tutoring. You may contact Donna Paschal, Director, at 803 645-8397. Currently there is a waiting list. Volunteers are needed for both programs. If you are interested in helping, please contact Donelle West, Volunteer Coordinator, at 803 270-6305. The classes at both locations will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8, after Labor Day. Gregg Park Civic Center The Shepeard Community Blood Center’s Mobile Unit will visit Gregg Park on Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please SHARE your blood and help SAVE LIVES! Did you know? That one pint of blood can save up to three lives! To sign up, please call the park at 663-7552. *Walk-ins Welcome. “NEW” RBT ClASS New fall classes for rbt “resistance band training” will begin september 16th at gregg park civic center. Classes will be taught by certified instructor joan beam on wednesdays 6:00-6:30 p.M. Classes are only 30 minutes long from 6:00-6:30 p.M. Instructions on how to tighten and strengthen the core muscles while also improving balance and mobility.
FALL YARD SALE Whether selling or buying, Gregg Park’s Annual Yard Sale is a must this fall. Clean out the closets and attics and let us do the advertising for you! Must be pre-registered by Thursday, Oct. 1st, before 6:00 p.m. Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from 7:00 a.m. – 12 Noon *(Rain date is October 10th). Cost is $5.00 per table (limit 2 per person) pay day of sale. To register call the park at 663-7552. Halloween Costume Contest and Haunted Hayrides Come “scarify” with us this halloween with our costume contest on thurs., Oct. 22Nd for children ages 9and under. Registration is from 6:00-6:30 p.M. With the contest beginning at 6:30 p.M. Then....If you dare….. Our haunted hayrides will begin shortly after the kiddies have shown us their costumes. Our own swamp mistress can be seen on this night walking aimlessly through the park looking for her next victim!!!! **Two hayrides will accommodate all of our visitors... One for the ghosts and goblin seekers and another for the “younger” kiddies** door prizes/refreshments/goody bags. “UNLIMITED” Exercise Classes per Month $10/Month for Pass holders, $15/Month for Non-Pass holders Monday and Wednesday Cardio/Weight Class 5:00-6:00 p.m. A 30/30 Cardio and Weight Class consisting of a cardio workout and followed by light weights for toning and abdominal work. Instructor: Becky Geeting LITE-SIDE A Senior’s class for those who desire a vigorous and fun filled workout! Certified instructor Wendy Moore will demonstrate the latest techniques for health conscious adults. Classes are held Mondays and Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 A.M. For more information, please call the park at 663-7552. FREE OF CHARGE! LINE DANCE Rock&Roll, Country & Beach Music Line dancing classes with instructor Cassie Barnhill are taught on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. bost is $5.00 per class. For
more information call the park at 663-7552. LUNCH BUNCH WALKERS Let Gregg Park help you with your exercise and fitness program. A healthier and well-conditioned you is just a few steps away! Sixteen walk times will earn you a “Free” T-shirt and a healthier mind and body. Walking inside the gym or outside on our beautiful and serene 1/2 mile walking track. For more information, please call the park at 663-7552. KARATE Karate classes are taught by Brian Randall are are held on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:00 P.M. Classes are for ages 5 and older with instruction in Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo. Cost is $15.00 per month. “FREE” BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING Blood Pressure Testing is offered at Gregg Park Civic Center. This service is “Free of Charge” and is performed by certified nurse, Jeanne Townes. This service is provided the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4:00-6:00 P.M. GYMNASTICS Gymnastic classes are now being held at Gregg Park Civic Center. Registration fee is $10.00 and cost of instruction is $30.00 per month. Instructor Rhonda Whitley will teach Gymnastics for children ages 4 & up on Mondays from 6:00-7:00 P.M. For more information, please call the park at 6637552/ ZUMBA Tuesday 6:00-7:00 p.m. Come check out the “Zumba Party” on Wednesday afternoons with Instructor Becky Geeting. This class is for any level of participation and provides a nonintimidating opportunity for new exercisers. Come join the fun and enjoy group fitness with less impact! RESISTANCE BAND TRAINING Monday 6:15-6:45 p.m. Mondays from 6:15-6:45 p.m. It’s only “30” minutes. “Short” on the time but “Long” on the results. Bring your mat, towel and water. We provide the bands. Instructor Joan Beam will demonstrate exercise with concentration on tightening and toning the core muscles. These band exercises will increase your strength for everyday activities
as well as your balance and mobility. This workout will definitely challenge your mind and your body! Hope Ministries of the Valley, Inc. TENTH ANNUAL GOSPEL SING BENEFIT Featuring: Christian Harmony, the Brazell’s, Restoration Praise, William Wallace, Carldean Ashley Family. Saturday, September 12, 2015 3:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. (BBQ Meal Following!) 206 Moore Rd., North Augusta, SC 29860 A BAG of IN-DATE non-perishables/ can goods, etc. is your admission. The BBQ afterward is free. There will be a love offering for the Hope Ministries of the Valley, Inc. during the event. For more information please contact: George Webb- 803-270-4432 or Carldean/Linda Gale Ashley 803-2786240 Megiddo Dream Station Megiddo Dream Station October classes at Graniteville will be: Oct 12-Dec 3, Mon-Thurs (except Thanksgiving). For more information call 803-392-7044 or email donaldWmegiddodreamstation.org. Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center GED classes: Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 p.m. Classes are free. AA Group : Monday, Wednesday 8:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Basic Computer Class: call Sr. Dorothy (803)-507-7715 Volunteers are always needed. All we ask is that you consider donating an hour or two of your time a week, a month, any amount you can give to the following: Food Pantry: driver to pick up the food (once a month), a person to unload the food truck (once a month), help restock shelves. Receptionist: Monday or Wednesday or Friday (or Mon., Wed., & Friday), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Intake Worker: Assessing the needs of the person seeking help Tutor: Helping students with reading, math, English and social studies. To have your organizations events posted in the GVW Report Community Calendar, please email Anne Fulcher at ernieace2@yahoo.com or call at (803)-9794476
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Midland Valley High School Marching Band working hard throughout the summer By Tony Baughman Late July arrives in The Valley. A blazing midday sun hovers in the center of the sky. Even the slightest breeze refuses to stir, so heat and humidity cling as a thick veil over the summer air. Here, in the hottest stretch of summer break, members of the Midland Valley High School Marching Band are giving up two of the last weeks of their vacation toward one unified goal: To be the best band they can be when football and band competition seasons dawn in a few short weeks. It is a sacrifice of sleep, energy, and perspiration that every young man and woman on that field of musical dreams hopes will yield accolades and ultimately a state championship for their marching and playing abilities. “The band starts rehearsals in April each year and will hold a few rehearsals before school lets out,” said David Hastings, director of the “Pride of the Valley” Marching Band. “We start back, hitting the ground running, at the end of July. We will rehearse approximately 120 hours before school starts. After school begins, we rehearse about nine hours a week.” Every practice is unique, whether in summer band camp or after-school once classes begin in August. Students focus on individual technique in their marching and instrumental performances, then bring their skills together for ensemble marching and playing. The next step, according to Mr. Hastings, is “repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition...” One of the elite marching music organizations in the world, Drum Corps International, refers to its participants as “musician athletes” because of the physical demands on each participant, as well as the obvious emphasis on musical prowess. That term – “musician athletes” – certainly applies to members of the
Midland Valley High School Marching Band, too. For example, this year’s competition program, entitled “What If...?” with its ponderous theme of what might can be achieved if one sets his or her imagination free, includes 860 marching counts per show. At 22.5 inches per step, each participant marches 537 yards per show. All of this marching happens while students carry instruments and perform intricate musical compositions. In all, the members of “The Pride of the Valley” will collectively march 30.5 miles per performance of the competition show. Multiply that by the number of practices, football halftimes and competitions these students will perform, and the amount of labor expended is hard to fathom. “These students will have performed this year’s show at least 125 times, marching a total of 3,812.5 miles,” Mr. Hastings said. “More than the distance from
Augusta to Los Angeles – and that is Augusta, Maine. So, these young people work hard, to say the least, and they will learn many traits that will serve them well into their college or working years.” Providing necessary support to these hard-working students and their directors also requires hours of labor and sweat. That is the principal mission of the Midland Valley High School Band Booster Club. This dedicated team of parents (and even a few loving siblings) work countless hours to raise funds for travel to band competitions and away football games, appearances in parades and special events, and even the purchase of new instruments. All summer long, many Band Boosters parents have worked alongside their children at car washes, yard sales and other fundraisers to help send the Midland Valley to march this November in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest such parade
in America. In addition, the Band Boosters hope to raise at least $7,000 this season to help replace aging brass and percussion instruments owned by the band program. More than 100 volunteers banded together in August to present the first Music, Mustangs & More Festival, a day-long celebration of music, crafts, food and classic cars that unfolded in oppressive heat and occasional rain showers. Less than a week later, these same volunteers rolled up their sleeves to cook hamburgers, French fries and funnel cakes inside the two concession stands for the Mustangs’ first home football game – a grueling culinary task that is repeated at least five times every autumn on football Fridays in The Valley. Later this month, on Saturday, Sept. 26, the Midland Valley Band Boosters again will labor collectively through at least a 16-hour day staging the annual Mustang Classic, a band competition hosted by Midland Valley that brings together hundreds of students, parents and band music fans from across the state. This grueling and exhausting undertaking includes caring for the bands and their directors, feeding audience members from the concession stands, and generally keeping the competition schedule running smoothly. Ultimately, why do these students and parents work so hard and spend so many countless hours invested in a school program that historically receives far less recognition than athletic programs that have entire local television broadcasts devoted to their Friday night exploits? The answer is pretty simple: “As Lady Gaga would say, it’s all about the applause,” Mr. Hastings said. “Knowing you’ve done a great job and brought happiness to others, there is no other feeling quite like it.” Indeed, being a proud member of the Midland Valley High School Marching Band – and being a proud band parent – certainly can be called a labor of love.
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Jobs and Job Training coming to Graniteville In the fall of 2015, Christ Central Graniteville will partner with Christ Central’s Mission Market Division to open a fullservice restaurant at the Hope Center in Graniteville. To be called the Mission Market, this new venture will be a full-service restaurant focusing on breakfast and lunch. Its purpose is two-fold: First is to provide wholesome meals at affordable prices for the citizens
of Graniteville and the surrounding area. A second important goal for the restaurant’s staff is to provide job training for people throughout the CSRA; giving them the skills needed to gain employment in local restaurants and the food service industry. This training will be accredited by Food Industry Training or F.I.T., a nationwide program designed to help qualify people for employment in the food
service industry. Job applications will be taken through SC Works and at Hope Center. The F.I.T. program will be a six week course teaching students with both classroom instruction and hands-on training in the restaurant and catering business. Classes will be held at the Hope Center. Those interested in being a part of this program can call 803-393-4575 for more information or come by the
Hope Center at 3 Hickman St. in Graniteville weekdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and complete an application. Christ Central Graniteville also has plans underway for a new job resource center at the Hope Center. In addition, a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) school is scheduled to be opened in early 2016 at Trinity Academy at 6 Hickman St. in Graniteville.
Christ Central Hope Center receives donation When the MOMS Club of Aiken was deciding what charity their organization would sponsor for the year, they looked at a few criteria. The organization had to be local, benefit mothers and children, and raise awareness within the community. Upon learning of the Christ Central Hope Center in Graniteville, MOMS Club of Aiken decided to look no further. Built at the site of the deadly train wreck in 2005, Hope Center opened in September 2014 to be a center of hope and help for the Graniteville community. It offers preschool readiness, after school mentoring and provides job training for members of the community. In October 2014 the MOMS
Club of Aiken held a rummage sale and donated all proceeds
from the sale to the community. In May 2015, a silent auction
was held at the facility to raise awareness and funds for their facility. As a result of these efforts, MOMS Club of Aiken was able to raise $3398.33 for the year, which allowed the Hope Center to purchase a dishwasher for its restaurant training program. “MOMS Club is honored and excited to be able to present this check on behalf of our club to be able to give back to the community that has given so much to us”, says Karen Wilson, President MOMS Club of Aiken. For more information on MOMS Club, email aikenmomsclub@gmail. com. For more information on the Hope Center please contact Judy Floyd, director 803-640-1708.
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Business & Industry Health Aiken Regional Medical Centers Business & Industry Health (B&I) strives to assist the local corporate community in occupational health & wellness initiatives for every employee. Currently B&I services over 40 local client companies. Business & Industry Health affectively interacts with over 5000 local employees. B&I services include but are not limited to: Physical Examinations • Post-Offer Exams and Pre-placement Exams • Annual Exams • Fit for Duty • DOT Exams • Respirator Usage Evaluation • Biometric Screenings • Musculoskeletal/Neck/Back Evaluations Worker’s Comp Services/Therapy • Injury management and follow-up care/ visit • Injury prevention training • Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) Training • Break-Time Fitness • Ergonomic/Job Site Analysis • Transitional/Modified Work Programs • Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) • Acute Rehabilitation • Work Status Test • Work Conditioning
• Work Hardening Onsite Nursing Services • Bridgestone ORR Plant • City of Aiken • Aiken County Government • City of North Augusta Alcohol and Drug Screening • Non-DOT 5, 7, 9, and 10 Panel • Instant Drug Screens (5 & 12 panel) • MRO fee for inconclusive results • DOT Drug Screens • DOT and Non-DOT Breath Alcohol Testing • Collection site for LabCorp, Quest, Pyschemedics, and MedTox • Onsite random screenings All other services • EKG • Pulmonary Function Test • Chest and/or lumbar x-rays • Respirator Fit Testing (N95) • Blood Work • TB skin test and reading • Vision testing Titmus (V4 Occupational Vision Screener) • Hearing tests • Blood pressure evaluation • Cholesterol evaluation • Diabetes evaluation • Weight evaluation (BMI/Waist Girth) • Immunizations • First Aid & CPR training by
appointment/price per attendee • Health Education • Nutritional Education/referrals • Health Risk Assessments • Physician referral services
B&I’s current office is located in the Villages at Woodside approximately 7 miles from the main ARMC complex, but B&I administers many educational programs, Wellness Checks, and physical exams on our corporate client sites. B&I’s ultimate goal is to be your choice for occupational health interventions as well as urgent and primary care. Dr. Adam Bruckner is the Medical Director for B&I and accepts new patients daily. He accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance. Currently B&I partners with over 45 local business, corporate clients, and Volunteer Fire Departments. These include but are not limited to:
• City of Aiken
• Aiken County
• City of North Augusta
• Aiken Electric Coop.
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Owens Corning
• Aiken Public Safety
• AGY
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• Menardi-Filtrex
• SRR
• SRNS
• Bridgestone Passenger Tire
• Parsons Corporation
• Imerys
• Active Minerals
• Security Federal Bank
• Carlisle Tire/Carlstar Group
• USC-Aiken
• Aiken Technical College
• Bridgestone Off Road
• Lower Savannah Council of Governments
• ASCO Emerson
• Newman Technology
• Daybreak
• Pyramid
• SC Metal products
• Beech Island Fire Rescue
• Belvedere, Silverbluff, and Center Volunteer Fire Department
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Environmental Public Health Tracking in the Graniteville Community Prevalence data from South Carolina’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a health-related telephone survey of non-institutionalized populations aged 18 or older conducted in each county by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) was used to compare health outcomes (i.e. depression) in Aiken County to South Carolina and neighboring midland counties, Barnwell and Edgefield. Age-adjusted prevalence rates, or the proportion of existing cases for depression during 2011-2013, were computed using the 2000 U.S. Census as the standard population. Moreover, about 20.1% of residents (18 years or older) in Aiken County reported having depression, followed by 17.5% in South Carolina and 15.6% in Barnwell and Edgefield Counties during 2011-2013. Figure 1. Prevalence (Existing Cases) of Depression in Aiken County, South Carolina, and Barnwell and Edgefield Counties Combined, 2011-2013 Mental Health Basics • Mental illness is defined as “collectively all diagnosable mental disorders” or “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.1 • Depression is the most common type of mental illness, affecting more than 26% of the U.S. adult population.2 • Evidence has shown that mental disorders, especially depressive disorders, are strongly related to the occurrence, successful treatment, and course of many chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity, and many risk behaviors for chronic disease; such as, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive drinking, and
insufficient sleep.3,4 Sources 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 1999. 2. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005;62:617–627. 3. Chapman DP, Perry GS, Strine TW.The vital link between chronic disease and depressive disorders. Prev Chronic Dis 2005;2(1):A14. 4. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. (2013). Mental Health Basics. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics.htm General Resources Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help Includes information about: • Behavioral Health Treatment Service Locator • Buprenorphine Physician and Treatment Program Locator • Opioid Treatment Program Directory • Suicide Prevention Lifeline • SAMHSA’s National Helpline • Disaster Distress Helpline • Veteran’s Crisis Line • Drug-Free Workplace https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Local Resources Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/ab/ Aurora Pavillion
(803) 641-5900
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Aiken Technical College:
Preparing students to meet workforce needs Savannah River Nuclear Solutions recently projected that it will need more than 160 radiation protection technologists by 2016 and another 190 by 2017. A study commissioned by the SRS Community Reuse Organization found that nearly 10,000 new workers will be needed to fill positions at the area’s nuclear employers by 2019. The manufacturing industry is also experiencing growth. In Aiken County, the number of workers in the industry is expected to grow 6.37 percent by 2022, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. For many of these new jobs, education beyond high school will be required. At Aiken Technical College, we offer programs in advanced manufacturing and nuclear to help prepare area residents for these growing industries. Many of the courses are taught in our new Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing, and in the Manufacturing and Technology Training Center—both which are state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide students with quality learning environments. Within advanced manufacturing, students may study welding, HVAC, industrial maintenance technology, electronic engineering technology, machine tool technology, engineering graphics technology, or tower and wireless installation. Advanced manufacturing graduates can have an annual earning potential of $25,000 to $89,000, based on their field of study and other factors. Students interested in the nuclear industry may study nuclear quality systems or radiation protection technology at ATC. Graduates of these programs can have an annual earning potential of $42,000 to $98,000, also based upon the field of study and other factors. ATC is enrolling students for Fall Term 2 and for the Spring 2016 semester. Learn more about available programs and financial aid options at atc.edu or call (803) 508-7263. Start Here…Succeed Anywhere!
Megiddo Dream Station helping to get people back into the workfoce The Megiddo Dream Station’s foundation is based on Joshua 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And Psalm 139: 13- 14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” These words and promises are for all His children. We live in a world of abundance with such a focus on “things” and it’s easy to forget that real wealth is in people: their dignity, their spiritual and emotional needs. Just before starting Megiddo Dream Station, I worked for Golden Harvest Food Bank for two years and I loved my job. Feeding hungry people made me feel good. After all, with unemployment and chronic health issues, it made sense that we were increasing distribution by over 1 million pounds per year. Then one Saturday, Greg Paschal and a group from Wells Fargo helped us with a food distribution. By all standards it was an overwhelming success. People waited in the rain for hours to get food and fortunately, everyone got something. But when I talked to Greg later, he said… “yes, I guess it was good, but how many of those people are going to need another box of food next week and every week for the rest of their lives? And how about their children? That’s the real issue. Wouldn’t it be better to do something to help them get jobs so they can feed themselves?” Just a couple of weeks later, I wrote an article for the Aiken Standard. Mr. Wyatt read it and asked me to meet him for lunch. He shared his vision for a non-profit in Graniteville that would help people get jobs. I was intrigued. As I began praying about this new endeavor, I knew that we would need to teach job search skills, but just as important we needed to reach them with the message that God has a plan for them. A GOOD PLAN. A plan that included working and living fulfilled lives. As students began to come in, many were discouraged and depressed. Some were in their situation because they made bad choices, others had medical issues and others had not recovered from a job loss. We began to explain to them that nothing they had done is
bigger than God’s grace. Working with students at Megiddo, I have come to realize that many see their issue in terms of shame and pain rather than a lack of money. When you tell your kids there is no food tonight, it’s not just a food issue. It is shameful, horrible and painful to tell your kids that news. You see, turkeys and toys are not the solution. Providing these “gifts” exploits the biggest sense of need of them as individuals. Our helping in providing material gifts can push them deeper into poverty of character and self-worth. Although it may make us feel good, our help can and often does hurt. In the book, Toxic Charity, the authors argue that 90% of our aid effort SHOULD BE found in the area of personal and job skill development. But instead over 85% of our effort is structured to fit better in the stage of relief—which should be limited to a few days or weeks after a disaster. We should respond differently to people who lose their home in a fire than we do to people who are trapped in decade’s long poverty. At Megiddo we recognize that our students - including their natural gifts, talents, backgrounds, families,- are created by Jesus Christ and He wants their lives—and ours — to glorify and honor Him. Therefore, as we interact with them, we do so with the knowledge that God wants to use them and wants to restore them to the life He created them for. It’s not about ME or even Megiddo, it’s about helping each of them realize who they are and that they have value. The Megiddo Dream Station moves families forward though our unique core curriculum, volunteer requirements, life skill classes and specialty programming. Many of our neighbors want to provide for their families and give back to the community, but they become frustrated and overwhelmed in their search for a stable job. At Megiddo, we remind each individual that they offer value to our community and that their skills are needed. In addition to resume, interview and job search training, we help students set up reasonable budgets and learn to follow them. We teach important communication skills, including conflict management and presentation techniques. We provide computer training at all levels and advanced classes in customer service, construction, desktop publishing, hospital, customer service, advanced sewing, home health and more. We require students to participate in at least
20 hours of volunteer service, adhere to a strict attendance/tardy policy and complete all class assignments. Since October 2012, we have helped nearly 200 people move from the system into the workforce. We have placed employees with over 60 very satisfied employers. Our graduates are getting excellent reviews and being promoted when opportunities arise. The Megiddo Dream Station is moving people from the system and into the workforce. We have helped hundreds of people get into the workplace. Although these numbers are impressive, we know we are still not meeting the demand. Due to space limitations, we have waiting lists of 2-3 months and we offer specialty classes on a rotating basis. This is unacceptable. When a person is unemployed, this very distressing and discouraging. To address this problem, we are doing two things — 1) Building a training center in Graniteville 2) setting up satellite program that will provide the core curriculum classes at Second Providence Church in North Augusta and Friendship Baptist Church in Aiken. You can be part of the solution. How? 1) Donate to our capital campaign or operating budget. 2) Volunteer to teach a class, work in the KidStation or volunteer for a one day event or project. 3) Hire our graduates for ongoing jobs or hire our current students for one day jobs, such as mowing the lawn or moving furniture. For more information: 803-392-7044, www.megiddodreamstation.org.
CORRECTION Last issue, the headline for the Megiddo Dream Station graduates read ‘The Last Megiddo Dream Station Graduates.” It should have read “The Latest Megiddo Dream Station Graduates.” The GVW Report apologizes for the error.
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Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Aiken Parks and Recreation Participants must be age 50 or older. The $20 registration fee covers tshirt and banquet. You may register with Aiken County PRT, the City of Aiken PRT, or North Augusta Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services!
Planning is Underway for Thoroughbred Senior Games 2015! Aiken County, SC- Thoroughbred Senior Games will be held October 9th – 15th. Events to be held this year are bowling, basketball 3 on 3, basketball foul shooting, softball, pickleball, track and field, horseshoes, corn hole, tennis, softball throw and football throw. Events will be held at Riverview Park, Odell Weeks, Harrison Caver Park, with the banquet at Bobby’s Bar-B-Q.
Fitness Classes! Graniteville, SC-Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is offering combo fitness classes instructed by certified fitness trainer, Tyeasha VanBuren. Fitness with Ty at 6:30 pm on Tuesday’s will vary between: Pound - rock out workout with stix Zumba - dance fitness Mixxed Fit - dance fitness to hip hop music with boot camp inspired toning Piloxing - combination of Pilates, dance and boxing Stop by and join in the FUN! $5/class. The Aiken County Recreation Center is located at 917 Jefferson Davis Highway (US 1) in Graniteville, SC. For more information, please call Tandra Cooks at (803) 663-6142.
Oconee County, SC October 8 – Join us on a day trip to Oconee County! $35 per person (does not include lunch)…Laughs and Fun are free! Spaces are limited. Please RSVP and pay by October 5. Trip will depart from the Aiken County Government Center in Aiken, as well as the Courtney senior Center in Wagener. We will visit: • Oconee Heritage Center Store Museum • Oconee Heritage Center • Lunch at The Lighthouse on Lake Keowee • Duke Power’s World of Energy • Lumney House Museum The Courtney Center is located at 49 Roy Street (off Hwy 39) in Wagener, SC. For more information, please call Carolyn Rushton at (803) 564-5211. Aiken County PRT’s Main Office is located at 1930 University Pkwy, Suite 2200 Aiken, SC. For more information, please call Tandra Cooks at (803) 663-6142.
Saturday, September 5, 2015 • 13
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Minitor Market
As we celebrate this Labor Day, Minitor Market is proud to know that we’ve help bring 7 jobs to the GVW community restoring a long standing community landmark! As the communities supports us, we feel we can increase our labor force to 16 employees at the Market. It is the American Labor who has given this country strength and prosperity. It is not the government who creates these opportunities but the American spirit in each of us. Know that your support is appreciated and brings more jobs home!
How to feed a family of four a quality meal for $10 Loretta Chicken Alfredo Ingredients: 1 Box Loretta Alfredo $1.25 1 1/2 lb Boneless Chicken $3.29 1 Bag Morning Fresh Cut Broccoli $1.39 2 cups Milk $1.00 Shredded Colby jack cheese 2.09 4 ears of SC grown corn $1.99 1 8oz tub Morning Fresh Spread $.89
Directions: 1. Cut 1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Melt 4 tablespoons Morning Fresh Spread in a 10-12 inch skillet. Add Chicken; cook 4-5 minutes, stirring, until chicken turns white outside. 2. Stir in 2 cups milk, 1//2 cup hot water, sauce mix and uncooked pasta.
3. Add 5-8 oz of Morning Fresh Cut Broccoli. 4. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. 5. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 10 minutes stirring until pasta is tender. 6. Stir in 1/2 cup of Morning Fresh Shredded Colbyj ack Cheese, stirring until cheese is melted into pasta 7. Uncover, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, Sauce will thicken as it stands. Stir Before serving. Note: You will have enough Broccoli, Colby jack cheese to use with another meal!! SC Grown Corn On The Cob Directions: 1. Bring pot of water to a boil 2. add 2 tablespoons of Morning Fresh Spread for Flavor 3. add 4 ears of corn 4. Reduce heat cover and simmer for about 6-8 mins 5. Take off head and let stand for 5 mins. Check out our daily specials on FaceBook: Minitor Market Minitor Market is Hometown owned providing you with: ‘The Meats You Love... The Prices You Expect... From Faces You Know... YOU SAVE MONEY Mel Minitor Minitor Market 1161 Augusta Rd. PO Box 757 Warrenville, SC 803-663-3991 www.minitormarket.com
Recruiting new employers to Graniteville The Economic Development Partnership is tasked by Aiken County Council to attract new manufacturing jobs to the County and to work with our strong base of existing manufacturers to facilitate expansions, which leads to new jobs. In the mid 90’s Aiken County Council purchased land and established Sage Mill Industrial Park just across the interstate from the Graniteville Community. And today more than 2200 people are employed by the companies located there. And Sage Mill remains the premier industrial property in Aiken County with more than 1800 acres remaining to be developed. In years past, having available land with proper infrastructure (water, sewer, natural gas, and electricity) was all that was needed to be successful. However in today’s fast paced world, new companies want to be up and operating as quickly as possible. Therefore having available industrial buildings are key to attracting new industry. We have a good problem and a bad problem and they are the same, we do not have any available buildings. So in 2014, EDP obtained a low interest loan from Santee Cooper to construct a speculative building in Sage Mill. That building, when complete, will have 105,000 sq ft of available space with four walls and a roof and there is land available for expanding the building. This will allow a new company to shave 4 months off a normal 10-12 month construction schedule. This building does not have a concrete floor so this allows a new owner the ability to customize the facility. We are constantly interacting with Site Selection Consultants as they may have clients who are looking to move or expand their operations. We also seek out companies that are looking to expand their operations in different location. Our area is fortunate to have an Industrial Park that has all the necessary infrastructure to be a great location and adjacent to the interstate. Economic development (manufacturing job creation) is a very competitive endeavor and does not just happen overnight. We have been successful over the years and that will continue to be the case.
14 • Saturday, September 5, 2015
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
GVW Report Resource Center
The Family Y Parents’ Night Out A fun night for the kids with dinner and a movie, with crafts and games! Date: Every 3rd Saturday of the month Upcoming Dates: Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 21 Ages: 2— 12 Time: 5:30 — 9:00pm Fees: Members—$12 per child Primetime—$12 per child Non-members—$20 per child $5 sibling Discount Swim Lessons Parent/Child Lessons This class teaches water introduction through positive parent and child interaction. The goal of this class is to help your swimmer get accustomed to the water and learn water skills. Preschool Swim Lessons all levels (Pike, Eel, Ray, and Starfish). Staff will swim test ALL participants the first 10 minutes of the first class to place participants into the proper skill groups when possible. Youth Swim Lessons all levels (Polliwog, Minnow, Guppy, Fish, Flying Fish, Shark, and Porpoise). Staff will swim test ALL participants the first 10 minutes of the first class to place participants into the proper skill groups when possible. Parent/Child lessons are at 5:15-5:45pm Preschool Lessons are at 6:00-6:45pm Youth and Adult are at 7:00-7:45pm Upcoming lessons September lessons start 9/1—9/24
October lessons start 10/6—10/29 November Lesson Start 11/3—12/3 no lessons on 11/24&11/26 Fees: $55 members/ $85 nonmembers Parent/Child $50/$80 Barracuda Swim Team As a part of the South Carolina YMCA Swim League. We teach our athletes the fundamental skills and techniques of swimming while also promoting our four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Swimmers must be able to swim the entire length of the pool unassisted. Sessions: September: 8/31—9/30 October: 10/2—10/30 November: 11/2—12/4 (no practice 11/23—11/27) January: 1/4—1/29 February: 2/1—2/21 Fees: $55member/$85 nonmembers per session
Mt. Salem Ministries Provides: Outreach Mission Men’s Homeless Shelter “His Table” Soup Kitchen Distribution Center Mt. Salem Chapel Bible Study For those needing assistance or those wanting to volunteer please call 803-646-3847
Do you or your organization offer services to those in need? Please send us your information so we can share your services to those who need them. This is a free service. For more information, contact Anne Fulcher at 803-979-4476 or ernieace2@yahoo.com.
Saturday, September 5, 2015 • 15
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville
Getting the work done in Horse Creek Valley area
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center will be welcoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member Deondra Roper, provided through a grant from the United Way Association of South Carolina, in September. Deondra will serve a year as the Volunteer Coordinator. Her involvement will be to seek out new volunteers and to improve the infrastructure of the Volunteer program at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center. AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faithbased groups across the country. AmeriCorps VISTA, one of several national service programs under the Corporation of National Community Service, was founded in 1965 as a national service program to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs. Today, more than 46 million Americans live in poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA taps the skills, talents and passion of
more than 7,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty. For more information go to nationalservice.gov. Deondra is a native of Aiken, SC. She is a 2010 Graduate from South Carolina State University, in Orangeburg, SC, with a bachelors in Family and Consumer Sciences. This will be her second term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member she recently served with United Way of Aiken County’s Project VISION, home repairs initiative for low -income homeowner seniors 62 years and/ or persons whom are disabled, as the Program Resource Coordinator. She has the passion and determination to make Aiken County a better place through her service in bringing individuals out of poverty. Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center is a rural multipurpose community center established to minister to the needs of the poor in Horse Creek Valley, in Aiken County, South Carolina. The Center is a Catholic diocesan ministry currently facilitated by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center mission is to identify and respond to the unmet needs of the community in the Horse Creek Valley Area of Aiken County, South Carolina in the name of Jesus Christ. Volunteers are a vital part in meeting the unmet needs in Horse Creek Valley. We are always in need of Volunteers as pantry helpers, drivers, tutors for GED program receptionist, and intake workers. Please contact Sister Catherine Marie Lowe 803-292-4409 or Deondra Roper 803-857-6053, if your interest in giving your time for an hour or two.
Horse Creek from Page 3 beginning in 2016-2017. In addition to programming and completing the Hickman Hall Vision Center, the 293,000 square foot Hickman Mill will be Horse Creek Trust’s main focus for 2016, as it both completes the adaptive reuse plans for the classic Italianate brick building for both new industry, office space and retail. Additionally a new canoe launch and visitor’s parking facilities are planned to establish the nucleus of Horse Creek Trust’s restoration efforts. Over the following years, the same visioning plans and design standards will be employed for the restoration of the historic Granite Mill, which will be the Central signature landmark for 21st Century Graniteville, ultimately translating into the adaptive
reuse of the Vaucluse Mill and the scenic parkland in between Vaucluse and Graniteville. While a formal economic impact analysis is pending, thousands of temporary construction jobs and hundreds, if not more, full time jobs associated with the new major employers, retailers, restaurants, cultural and recreational businesses that will soon become identified with the New Graniteville are projected. “Horse Creek Trust has a huge job ahead,” says Trust director, Turner Simkins. “However, with the cooperation of employment and job training partners like Megiddo Dream Station and Hope Center, we feel confident that we will be able to deliver quality jobs and services to this beautiful town that are long over due.”
USC Aiken’s Points of Pride Founded in 1961 with generous and enthusiastic support from the local community, the University of South Carolina Aiken recently celebrated 53 years of excellence for the state and region. The campus has grown to serve more than 3,400 students on its beautiful 453-acre campus. USC Aiken is a comprehensive liberal arts institution committed to active learning through excellence in teaching, student research, faculty scholarship, and civic engagement.
• Earned top three ranking among top public regional colleges in the South in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” guide for 17 consecutive years with ten total number 1 rankings • Two U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs’ national rankings • U.S. News & World Report added a new ranking in identifying the ‘2015 Best Colleges for Veterans.’ USC Aiken earned #1 ranking among top public regional colleges in the South in this category • Exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs • Talented faculty including recipients of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Research, and the Governor’s Professor of the Year • Recent Alumni won two Emmy-Awards • Excellence in undergraduate student research with recipients of prestigious Magellan Scholar Research Awards and McNair Scholars Research Program • USC Aiken is certified by The American Chemical Society (ACS), a national organization for chemists that sets the bar for high quality education of future chemists and is an advocate for science to our nation. • According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, USC Aiken seniors rank the campus as contributing to their knowledge, skills and personal development at rates significantly higher than other institutions that participate in the survey. • 15:1 student-faculty ratio allowing for highly-engaged and interactive classes • A strong commitment to diversity with a minority enrollment of more than 36% • Selected as the college of choice by students from 29 states and 20 countries • Two consecutive recognitions as a “Great Place to Work” by the Chronicle for Higher Education • Six recognitions for providing Military and Veteran Friendly programs including 2012, 2014, and 2015 “Military-Friendly School” designation by nationally-distributed GI Jobs • Economic impact of $180 million on the state’s economy with more than 14,500 alumni and 3,700 faculty, staff and students actively engaged in their communities • Strong record of community partnerships with more than 70,000 K-12 students and teachers visiting the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and 23,000 visitors to the Etherredge Center for the Fine and Performing Arts annually • NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference with teams consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
16 • Saturday, September 5, 2015
The GVW Report is sponsored by:
Department of Public Health Sciences www.musc.edu/phs
Graniteville, Vaucluse, Warrenville