Information Please 2015

Information Please 2015

Your Colorful Guide to Barnwell County Living

The People.Sentinel

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DISCOVER OUR CONTENTS

Information Please

is published by The People-Sentinel

P.O.Box 1255 • 10481 Dunbarton Boulevard • Barnwell, S.C. 29812 • (803) 259-3501 • Fax (803) 259-2703 Email: news@thepeoplesentinel.com • Website: www.thepeoplesentinel.com Publisher: Laura McKenzie • Managing Editor: Jonathan Vickery • Sports Editor: Michael Young Staff Writer: Will Whaley • Administrative Assistant: Patricia McCrimmon Sales Representatives: Kimberly Cave & Shawn Roundtree • Advertising Assistant: Jessica Howell • Circulation Manager: Vanessa Daniels Bookkeeper: Linda Collins • Delivery Drivers: Rodney Creech & Angie Crosby *The cover photo was taken at Hagood Avenue Baptist Church’s Fun Run with Color in 2014 to benefit a mission trip to Haiti.

The photo was taken by Managing Editor Jonathan Vickery. *

What’s Inside

Community Resources........................................18-20

Barnwell County Map................................................4

Community Involvement...........................................21

Municipalities of Barnwell County...........................5-8 Barnwell; Blackville, Elko, Hilda, Kline, Snelling & Williston

Local Directory...................................................10-14

Businesses & Industries, Emergency Services, Recycling, Airport

History of Barnwell County......................................15 Barnwell County/State Government.........................15 Community Events...................................................16 Community Arts......................................................17

Museums, Libraries, Gail Reyes Senior Center Civic groups in Barnwell County

Community Recreation.......................................22-24 Hunting, fishing & boating; Sports; YMCA

Community Churches...............................................25 Education...........................................................26-29 Public, private & home schools

About this Magazine/The People-Sentinel................30 Please support the local advertisers who support this magazine.

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Barnwell County Orangeburg County

Aiken County

Allendale County S.C. Highways Highways S.C.

Savannah River River Site Site Savannah

Barnwell County Southern PalmettoHospital Hospital

U.S. Highways Highways U.S. Roads & & Highways Highways Roads

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Barnwell State State Park Park Barnwell

Water Water

Barnwell Regional Regional Airport Airport Barnwell

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CITIES OF BARNWELL CO.

City of Barnwell

By Will Whaley - Staff Writer - william.whaley@morris.com

L

iving in big cities for most of my adult life had me unprepared for the small and quiet city of Barnwell.

At first glance, many people see nothing but a few buildings, old houses and a quiet downtown area.

How do I know?

Because that is what I saw when I first moved here until I found there was more to this city than meets the eye.

There are walking trails at Fuller Park, fishing at Lake Edgar Brown, sports at Lemon Park and picnicking and fishing at Kilkenny Park. All the quiet, relaxing activities away from the bustling, busy streets of cities. There are also many restaurants and stores to enjoy.

However, if you are into the bustling, busy streets of cities, Barnwell is perfectly situated along highways that make drives to places such as Charleston and Augusta, Ga. a breeze. It’s even just an hour drive to the state capital, Columbia. And, at the end of the visit you can always come home to Barnwell where the biggest traffic jam is waiting for the light to change.

The city limits were originally comprised of a three-quarter mile radius around the county courthouse. Today, Barnwell encompasses 7.8 square miles and has a population of around 4,600.

Barnwell doesn’t stop there, it is continuously growing. In January 2015, a YMCA will open in the community on Joey Zorn Boulevard (for newcomers, it is the first stoplight when you come in from Hwy. 278).

Anyone who is familiar with the YMCA franchise knows how many positive things can come from it: exercise classes, youth organization (who needs TV when you can play basketball after school?) and a pool.

Originally known as “Red Hill” or “the Village,” Barnwell was incorporated in 1829 and has experienced many changes in the

Who’s in charge Mayor: Edward Lemon

Administrator John Zawacki

City Hall: 130 Main Street (803) 259-3266

www.cityofbarnwell.com

past 184 years.

Barnwell has four public schools in the Barnwell 45 School District, and their mascot for Barnwell High is the Warhorse.

At the time of writing this, I have lived here for eight months, and already this is my home away from home. I had forgotten how much people in a small town truly have the “Southern Hospitality.” After all, this community does pride itself on its strong, neighborly atmosphere.

Welcome home.

Will Whaley is a staff writer for The People-Sentinel in Barnwell County. He is originally from Fayette, Alabama.

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CITIES OF BARNWELL CO.

Town of Blackville Who’s in charge Clerk City Hall: Mayor: Michael Beasley Harriett McKnight 5983 Lartigue St. (803) 284-2444 www.townofblackville.com

By Will Whaley Staff Writer william.whaley@morris.com

B

lackville is a town with hope.

In the last three years, Blackville has created a strong foundation for growth by stabilizing its finances, improving infrastructure and building strong ties throughout the community.

I have never seen a community with such a strong collective spirit.

Civic organizations, churches and neighborhood groups act as the backbone of Blackville.

The hard work pays off.

In 2014, the Blackville Music and Arts Festival had its biggest success yet.

Cleaning up old and messy properties became a big priority in 2014. So far, progress has shown as properties have become cleaned and brought up to code.

The code enforcement shows how serious Blackville is about its future.

From getting Wi-Fi connection for the downtown area and beautifying the town with new plants, Blackville shows how perseverance and hard work can pay off.

As Mayor Michael Beasley said countless times, “We have a long way to go, but we are on our way.”

Blackville is also the place where Healing Springs is located.

Intrigued?

You should be.

Healing Springs, with its fresh-water springs, is a popular destination for tourists and town residents. The water is considered to have healing properties.

(True testament: I’m not saying I’m convinced, but my allergies did clear up after drinking some of the water.)

Welcome to Blackville. Where positive thinking is put into practice.

The area between the community center and library received a facelift in 2014 as a new fence, plants and lights were installed.

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CITIES OF BARNWELL CO.

Town of Williston Who’s in charge Mayor: Jason Stapleton

Administrator Kenny Cook www.williston-sc.com

City Hall: 301 W. Main St. (803) 266-7015

By Will Whaley - Staff Writer - william.whaley@morris.com

W

illiston is all about community.

The community has a population of around 3,000 people and is full of families and neighbors who are always willing to lend a helping hand.

In 2014, members of the Williston community banded together to form the W-E CommUNITY Coalition as a way to help their community.

This coalition has made an impact on the entire community whether being at football games, having their own events for Halloween or giving out school supplies before school started.

The group meets each month to plan events and remains active throughout the year by participating in holiday activities with the rest of the organizations in the town.

Young Men of God is another new group that’s looking to make a difference. They try to offer young men a place they can feel they belong.

They instituted Man Up Mondays where young men where dress shirts and ties to school.

Williston was incorporated in 1858 and again

Williston’s newest fire truck rides in the Christmas parade.

after the Civil War, during which General Sherman’s troops marched through the town.

Williston is just a short drive to Aiken (roughly 20 miles), and is considered by many as the industrial and manufacturing hub in Barnwell County. Industries there create a variety of good, including vending machines.

If it is one thing that attracted me to this town it is the food. Most of the places are owned by locals looking to provide opportunities in their community.

The town’s relatively new mayor, Jason Stapleton, is the first new mayor in 21 years.

Stapleton replaced Tommy Rivers, who served in public office for more than 25 years.

If Miranda Lambert had to sing about any town in “Famous in a Small Town,” it would be Williston because I will see people who know exactly who I am (sometimes I’m the “newspaper man,” close enough) that I have never met before.

Welcome to Williston.

Williston’s population grows in the fall as the Ivy Garden Club sets up gourd people downtown.

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CITIES OF BARNWELL CO.

COUNTRY LIVING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Elko

Town Hall: 10067 U.S. 78, Elko, S.C. 29826

Mayor Marty Schumpert

E

lko is located on S.C. 37 between the towns of Williston and Blackville. The town has a population of approximately 200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A great example of small-town America, Elko’s Town Hall, post office and fire department share the same building.

2014 marked the fifth year for the town of Elko Farmers’ Market.

The market is open May through November on Saturdays near the corner of U.S. 78 and S.C. 37. It attracts vendors of all types.

A highlight of the year, the Hunter’s Moon Fall Festival is held in October at the same location as the market. It features live music, crafts, produce and various activities.

Kline

Mayor William Cave

Town Hall: 35 Railroad Ave., Hilda, S.C. 29813

line is located on U.S. 278 and has a population of approximately 200.

Chartered on June 11, 1895, the town was originally named Brownell. Because its name was similar to Barnwell, it was changed to Kline in 1900.

The town has a park, as well as an active recreation department.

Every Christmas, the town has a tree-lighting ceremony in front of town hall with Christmas carol singing, special readings, the lighting of the tree and food for residents and visitors. The tree, planted in front of the town hall, stands over 40 feet tall. It had nearly died, but was brought back to full health. It stands as a symbol of the town’s strength.

A large peach operation sells fresh peaches in season in the town.

Mayor John McClary

A

centerpiece in the town of Hilda is its railroad depot (pictured above), which remains from when the town’s main transportation artery was the railroad.

Another landmark is the red caboose next to the depot. The old railbed has been converted into a walking trail.

Many events take place at or around the depot, including the annual Gopher (Tortoise) Festival in the fall. It features music, games, vendors, food and a parade.

Hilda is located just east of S.C.. 70, which connects Barnwell to Demark and then Orangeburg, and has a population of approximately 450.

Town Hall: 55 Railroad Ave., Kline, S.C. 29812

K

Hilda

Town Hall: 30 Morris St., Barnwell, S.C. 29812

Snelling Mayor Paul Moore

S

nelling, located along S.C. 64 west of Barnwell, has approximately 274 residents.

In the early 1950s, Snelling was slated to be dissolved to make way for construction of the Savannah River Site. After changes in the borders of SRS, the town was spared the same fate met by the former towns of Dunbarton, Ellenton and Myers Mill.

The town opened their new town hall (pictured below) in 2012. It is connected to the fire department by a conference room and also includes a new training space for firefighters.

The town holds their annual Christmas tree lighting service in front of the town hall each year.

A staple of the town is the Snelling Town Park, which has a walking path for residents to enjoy as well as a picnic shelter.

The town has a variety of businesses, including several industries in the S.C. Advanced Technology Park.

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RAINBOW GAS GARDENS

ANDERSON & RAINBOW OIL

80 VIRGINIA AVE FARMING & INDUSTRIAL GAS PRODUCTS PH: 803-259-3694 We Are Always Ready to Serve You!

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LOCAL DIRECTORY

BUSINESS ALLIES Barnwell County Chamber of Commerce Exec. Director: Daniel Harvey (803) 259-7446 www.barnwellcountychamber.org Southern Carolina Alliance CEO/President: Danny Black (803) 541-0023 www.SouthernCarolina.org

LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Photos Courtesy: SouthernCarolina Alliance

Above, a worker at Kronotex, a maker of laminate wood floors, oversees production at the Barnwell facility which opened in 2005.

S.C. Works Center (Barnwell office) 248 Wall St. (803) 450-1000 Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Barnwell County at work

T

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor - jonathan.vickery@morris.com

hough many folks are looking for work, there are many job opportunities in Barnwell County as the unemployment rate decreased throughout 2014 - a trend residents and public officials hope will continue in 2015.

From manufacturing laminate wood floors and vending machines to warehousing fine glassware and archiving medical documents, industries provide thousands of jobs for residents.

The Savannah River Site is a big employer. It was built on a portion of Barnwell County land in the 1950s after the federal government ordered its construction. Several small towns and communities were shuttered, but the site has produced thousands of jobs for the area.

Barnwell County is also home to many small businesses that provide job opportunities and much needed services, including restaurants, family owned stores, auto body shops, car dealerships, and landscaping businesses, to name just a few.

To support the county’s businesses, large and small, is the Barnwell County Chamber of Commerce. It provides professional development opportunities, networking events and free advertisements for its members.

SouthernCarolina Alliance, a regional economic development organization, works to bring industries and jobs into Barnwell and the other five counties they represent. The organization has helped bring in new industries to the region while encouraging others to expand.

In addition to jobs, SouthernCarolina Alliance works to help their communities grow through partnerships with various organizations, A welder works on a piece at Carroll’s Welding and Industrial such as a leadership program at USC Salkehatchie and partnering with Service. The business expanded to a new building in Hilda in 2013. the Chamber of Commerce to recognize business leaders who excel.

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LOCAL DIRECTORY

Agriculture produces big business in county

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor jonathan.vickery@morris.com

N

ot only does agriculture produce food we need to survive, it means jobs and incomes for hundreds of families in Barnwell County.

According to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Barnwell County has 412 farms encompassing 92,679 acres. The average farm size is 225 acres.

A variety of crops are produced throughout the year, including watermelons, strawberries, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, cantaloupes, peaches, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, wheat, oats, hay and pecans.

The county also has dairies and farms raising chickens and cattle.

Many producers, big and small, sell their goods at Barnwell County’s two farmers markets located in Elko and Barnwell.

Farmers have a number of resources locally to help them, such as the Farm Service Agency and Clemson Extension.

Joe Varn, a Clemson Extension agent, said his job deals with research and making sure farmers are educated about the best practices and latest developments.

The Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, one of only four such centers in the state, plays a big role in that. They test new products and herbicides against proven products so they can make recommendations to farmers on the best product to use.

“Their task is to find better ways to grow and harvest crops, raise beef cattle, and conserve natural resources. It’s problem solving centers like Edisto REC that make it possible for consumers to shop at supermarkets stocked with an abundance of high quality food,” states the center’s page on Clemson’s website.

They also host field days at the research center centered on watermelons, peanuts, soybeans and cotton.

These events are not only for farmers but the public as well.

Future Farmers To help produce future generations of farmers, the Barnwell County Career Center offers public, private and home-schooled students an agriculture program.

Mindy Sandifer, who has been the program’s instructor for 13 years, said they have 51 students enrolled this year in the six courses, which include wildlife management, agriculture science and forestry. She reestablished the program, which had been dormant for 20 years, with just eight students. They now reach capacity every year.

Sandifer also oversees their FFA chapter, a youth organization associated with the agricultural program that “provides many

leadership and career-building opportunities for students on a local, state and national level,” said Sandifer.

FFA students compete in career development events, perform community service to meet their motto of “Living to Serve”, and host an annual rodeo fundraiser that attracts competitors from several states. “The FFA members work with Mrs. Shannon Herndon, county 4-H extension agent, the Barnwell County Farm Bureau, and the Colleton Bamberg Young Farmer’s Chapter to build agriculture awareness in the surrounding communities annually,” she said.

The BCCC FFA chapter has been recognized nationally as one of the top chapters in the U.S. five out of the last seven years. The partnership developed by chapter members and Sandifer with the adult members of the local agricultural industry has been recognized as the Southeast’s best in 2006 and again in 2014.

Sandifer said more than 15 of her former students have completed college degrees and returned to the community to work in agriculture over the past several years. “Many of the graduates have full-time positions at the Edisto Research and Education Center, while others hold full-time positions with S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Collum’s Lumber, and local farming or landscaping operations. Yet another graduate of the program is the current Agricultural Instructor at Aiken High School, which has also been named one of the best programs in the nation repeatedly.”

4-H is another resource in the county for children and teens.

It’s a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Programs include: Science, Engineering and Technology; Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. For information on Barnwell County 4-H go to: www. clemson.edu/barnwell and click on the clover.

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LOCAL DIRECTORY

EMERGENCY SERVICES

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor - jonathan.vickery@morris.com

In an emergency, always dial 911 Barnwell County Emergency Management Director: Roger Riley - (803) 541-1001 Medshore Williston, S.C. 29853 • (803) 266-7019 LAW ENFORCEMENT Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Ed Carroll (803) 541-1052 Barnwell Police Department Chief Reuben Black (803) 259-1838 Blackville Police Department Chief John Holston (803) 284-2333 Williston Police Department Chief Rodney Pruitt (803) 266-7011

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uring times of need in Barnwell County, there is a group of men and women ready to lend a hand.

This was evident in February 2014 when an ice storm struck the county, leaving thousands without power for days - and in some cases more than a week. Schools, many businesses and government offices were closed for days as roads were unsafe or blocked with downed trees and power lines.

Barnwell County Emergency Management Director Roger Riley along with his crew and 911 dispatchers stayed busy fielding calls from the public and coordinating efforts.

As many residents were stuck at home, firefighters from the county’s 11 volunteer departments worked many hours in frigid conditions to help clear roads so ambulances could respond to calls for help and power crews could restore electricity.

Law enforcement agencies also stayed busy helping in the aftermath of the ice storm while maintaining their normal duties.

Barnwell County has four law enforcement agencies to keep the county safe and bring criminals to justice all year long.

While the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office watches over the whole community, the city of Barnwell and towns of Blackville and Williston each have their own police force. Two of those police departments saw a change in leadership in 2014 after their long-time chiefs retired.

Reuben Black now leads the Barnwell Police Department, the largest force of the three departments, after Todd Gantt retired in February 2014 after a decade as chief. Black, a Barnwell native, was previously an officer with the department for four years.

At the Williston Police Department, Rodney Pruitt was promoted from an investigator to the chief’s position after Roger Kaney retired in October 2014.

While he’s no longer the chief, Kaney will hold the rank of captain and serve as the code enforcement and animal control officer.

(To report a fire, call 911)

Barnwell County Fire Coordinator: Timbo Williams www.barnwellcounty.sc.gov

LOCAL DEPARTMENTS •Barnwell City - District 1 • Fire Chief Tony Dicks •Blackville - District 2 • Fire Chief Hariel Corley •Elko - District 3 • Fire Chief Michael Schumpert •Hilda - District 4 • Fire Chief Thomas Sharpe •Kline - District 5 • Fire Chief Sims Morris •Snelling - District 6 • Fire Chief Bobby Morris •Williston - District 7 • Fire Chief Milton Widener •Red Oak - District 8 • Fire Chief Joe Gaines •Friendship - District 9 • Fire Chief Wayne Ray •Barnwell Rural - District 11• Fire Chief Jessie Elmore •Long Branch - District 12 • Fire Chief Andy Hogg

S.C. Forestry Commission To be eligible to burn yard debris outside the city limits, residents must call the S.C. Forestry Commission to report where they will be burning.

For Barnwell County, call (800) 895-7061.

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Health Care in Barnwell County

LOCAL DIRECTORY

NURSING HOMES Laurel Baye Healthcare of Blackville (803) 284-4313 Laurel Baye Healthcare of Williston (803) 266-3229 UniHealth Post Acute Care of Barnwell (803) 259-5547

B

arnwell County holds a rich history in health services.

While some of the names and faces have changed over the years, the tradition of quality health care is continuing.

In 2013, the county’s hospital was purchased by a private entity.

Barnwell County Hospital is now Southern Palmetto Hospital.

A more efficient emergency room with a new rural health clinic across the street are improvements owners have already put in place. Many exciting changes have begun to take place at the now privately owned facility, though more are planned, including renovating the second floor and turning it into a psychiatric and detox unit.

Creating a healthy environment for quality health care is essential for attracting a variety of doctors to the area, including family practice and specialty practices.

There are also a number of medical practices in the county to take care of residents. Three nursing homes are here for residents who need rehabilitation and 24/7 care.

The county’s provider of ambulance services also changed recently. In 2014, Medshore took over the contract for services.

The hospital, primary care providers, emergency services as well as specialists and public health organizations ensure Barnwell County residents have access to the health resources they need.

SERVICES AVAILABLE Axis 1 Center Director: Cheryl Azouri Long (803) 541-1245 www.axis1.org S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control (803) 541-1061 Southern Palmetto Hospital CEO: Mary Valliant (803) 259-1000 Barnwell County Health Department (803) 541-1061 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Since 1955, this hospital has been meeting the community’s health care needs. Southern Palmetto Hospital is a full service, Joint Commission accredited hospital that offers acute care and other specialty services.

Other services include primary care, surgical care, and emergency care. We provide lab services, radiology services, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, sleep studies, and now short term rehabilitation.

We are more than a list of services and technologies. Our strength is a local well-trained staff and a dedicated team of providers. We believe this truly defines who we are-your community hospital.

Fees: Services will not be denied due to a client’s inability to pay. Payments are rate-scaled according to a client’s income. Medicaid is billed when appropriate.

To better serve you the health department has set up one number to make appointments: 803-642-7543 (local Aiken) or 1-800-450-1687

In case of an emergency, always dial 911

Southern Palmetto Hospital 811 Reynolds Road Barnwell, SC. (803)259-1000

Barnwell Rural Health 914 Reynolds Road Barnwell, SC (803)259-4041

Williston Rural Health 45 Roundtree St. Williston, SC (803)266-3600

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LOCAL DIRECTORY

RECYCLING CENTERS Centers are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: • Longbranch Center, 1320 Orchard Rd., Barnwell • 6640 Hwy. 3, Barnwell • Snelling, 1359 Seven Pines Rd., Barnwell • Healing Springs, 3287 Healing Springs Rd., Blackville • Landfill Center, 155 Landfill Rd., Barnwell (also accepts farmer oil up to 55 gallons and oil/gas mixture) • Reedy Branch Center, 870 Reedy Branch Rd., Hilda • Rosemary Center, 963 Thorn Dr., Williston • Fire Tower Center, 7633 Hwy. 64E, Barnwell • Spurbranch Center, 8360 Springfield Hwy., Williston

BARNWELL REGIONAL AIRPORT Barnwell Regional Airport is a General Aviation Airport owned and operated by Barnwell County.

The airport has two active asphalt runways.

155 Airport Road, Barnwell (803) 259-1090 Mon.– Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

CODERED ALERT SYSTEM The CodeRED Weather Warning system provides county officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire county. It taps into the National Weather Service’s Storm Based Warnings.

To sign up, visit www.coderedweb.com.

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COMMUNITY HISTORY

BARNWELL COUNTY AT A GLANCE

B

arnwell County, once called Winton County, was named after Revolutionary War figure John Barnwell.

Like many small Southern areas, Barnwell County grew with the introduction of the railroad. At the time, the railroad linked Charleston to the old town of Hamburg on the Savannah River. Alongside the railroad, small towns, including Blackville and Williston, sprung up creating stops along the railroad.

On Christmas Day, 1830, the locomotive “Best Friend” made the first trip along the 136-mile route, averaging 12 miles per hour. At the time it was the longest railroad in the world. By the 1840s, over 100,000 bales of cotton a year were being shipped along it to Charleston.

By the 1990s, the railroad tracks had been removed from the area. A highway now runs along the same route.

Barnwell County Council Chairman Freddie Houston (District 1) David Kenner (District 2) County Administrator: Keith Sloan (District 3) Pickens Williams Jr. Lowell Jowers (District 4) Joe Smith (District 5) (803) 541-1000 Harold Buckmon (District 6) 57 Wall Street Jerry Creech (District 7) Barnwell, S.C. 29812 *Council meets the second Tuesday of every month.

STATE CONTACTS GOVERNOR

Nikki Haley - (803) 734-2100 - www.scgovernor.com HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES •S.C. Rep. Lonnie Hosey (Dist. 91) (803) 734-2829, lonniehosey@schouse.gov •S.C. Rep Justin T. Bamberg (Dist. 90) (803) 682-2860, justinbamberg@schouse.gov

SENATE

•S.C. Sen. C. Bradley Hutto (Dist. 40) (803) 534-5218, bradhutto@scsenate.gov

FEDERAL CONTACTS

•U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (803) 933-0112, www.lgraham.senate.gov • Senator Tim Scott (803) 771-6112, www.scott.senate.gov •Representative Joe Wilson - (2nd District) (803) 939-0041, www.joewilson.house.gov

Local government meetings are listed each week in a Government Calendar published in The People-Sentinel.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Community fun is right around the corner

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor - jonathan.vickery@morris.com

W

City of Barnwell’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Book distribution event sponsored by Barnwell District 45

Annual Barnwell Easter Egg Hunt

Varsity football game between Blackville-Hilda and Williston-Elko high school teams.

hile Christmas is a •Easter Egg Hunts busy time of year with Early to mid April three parades, five •Stations of the Cross tree lightings and many church Good Friday events, there is something going •Special Olympics on around Barnwell County late spring throughout the year.

•Relay for Life Churches sponsor a variety late spring of events throughout the year, including community fun days, •Hunter’s Moon Festival fall concerts, dramas and fall festivals.

Other events are sponsored by area organizations and civic groups, CHRISTMAS such as Relay for Life, Special CELEBRATIONS Olympics, back-to-school bashes, •Snelling - Tree Lighting - first fire safety events and plays. The Sunday after Thanksgiving Barnwell County Museum and area •Barnwell - Tree Lighting libraries sponsor events throughout the year, such as collector’s day and Thursday after Thanksgiving; Christmas Parade - first summer reading events.

Saturday in December There are festivals throughout the summer and fall months, including •Kline - Tree Lighting - first the Blackville Music and Arts Sunday in December Festival, Taste of Blackville, and •Williston - Christmas Parade Hunter’s Moon Festival in Elko. & Tree Lighting All during the school year first weekend in December residents can be found cheering on •Blackville - Christmas their teams at local athletic events.

Parade & Tree Lighting On Friday nights during the fall, second weekend in December you’ll find many residents cheering on their favorite high school football team - Warhorses, Blue Devils, Hawks or Raiders. The recreation departments in the city of Barnwell and towns of Blackville and Williston also offer several programs, such as basketball, cheerleading, baseball and soccer, throughout the year.

On the rare occassion you can’t find a special event to attend, Barnwell County’s parks and natural resources offer a breath of fresh air. You can picnic at Kilkenny Park, take the kids to play at Lemon Park, go fishing at Lake Brown, walk around the track at Veterans Park or Snelling Town Park, or explore Barnwell State Park.

Discover more about what takes place throughout the year in the county on the following pages.

Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk around Lake Brown

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Arts in Barnwell County

COMMUNITY ARTS

By Jonathan Vickery Managing Editor jonathan.vickery@morris.com

on the Circle Theatre stage is Salkehatchie Stew.

Salkehatchie Stew serves up recipes of the creative juices and rich histories ou don’t have to go of Barnwell, Bamberg, very far to find talent.

Allendale, Colleton and We’ve got it right Hampton counties with here in Barnwell County! their annual plays, which Do you love watching a are presented each spring play? throughout the five-county There’s a little gem in the city region. of Barnwell that will make you The play, which celebrated laugh or cry, and possibly both, its sixth anniversary in depending on the play.

2014, takes real life stories Circle Theatre, located on of people - past and present Academy Street, has been in - from the Salkehatchie existence for more than 40 region and weaves them years. It offers three plays each together into a creative year, plus an annual summer script. The cast is comprised camp for youngsters. entirely of local residents Recent seasons have brought who volunteer their time. some big name musicals to the A scene from the May 2014 production of “Annie” at Circle Theatre.

In addition, several schools small stage, including Annie in put on plays for the community. Williston-Elko High School has been May 2014 and The Sound of Music in January 2015.

To make any play a reality, Circle Theatre relies on volunteers. They producing a big play each spring for 20 years under the direction of are always seeking actors, crew members, set builders, and others teacher Betty Alsept. Guinyard-Butler Middle School in Barnwell has also started producing two plays a year. interested in being a part of the theatre.

You can also usually find a concert, whether at a church or school, The theatre sells season tickets for patrons who never want to miss a show. Details on the current season are available online at www. where you’ll hear some of Barnwell County’s talented individuals perform. The county is also home to a number of artists who craft barnwellcircletheatre.com as well as on their Facebook page.

Another play many residents look forward to that is performed unique items, such as pottery, paintings, soap, jewelry and more.

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BARNWELL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

Kelly Edwards Elementary School student Mary Fogle helps muralist Russ Petty paint a mural about pivotal moments in U.S. history at her school in Nov. 2014. Petty visits area schools thanks to funds from the Barnwell County Arts Council.

The mission of the Barnwell County Director: Dana Bell Arts Council, to educate and stimulate www.barnwellarts.com participation in the Cultural Arts, is bcac@barnwellarts.com brought to life through the council’s yearly events and outreaches.

The council promotes artistic education by presenting programs of visual, literary and performing arts and artists. Concerts, fundraising events, membership drives, donations, generous sponsorships and grants enable the Barnwell County Arts Council to fulfill its mission.

The Barnwell County Arts Council is governed by a 12-member board which oversees its programs. The board meets every other third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

The Barnwell County Arts Council’s office is located in the Barnwell County Museum at 9426 Marlboro Avenue in Barnwell.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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Barnwell County Museum

hairman Emeritus Anne

By Laura McKenzie - Regional Publisher - laura.mckenzie@morris.com Hagood’s dream is finally being realized.

The Holman-Fuller House Museum has become an inspiration to many. During 2014 there have been quite a few visitors who came from as far away as England.

The museum has continuing Focus Gallery exhibits throughout the year in addition to seasonal programs. The museum has been collaborating with community resources such as the city of Barnwell and the Barnwell County Arts Council to add even more programs.

The Effie Mae Fuller Community Center has regular programs annually such as a Black History Month program in February, the S.C. Water Media Society’s Annual Exhibition in March, a Collector’s Day in April, the Haunted House in October, the Fall Festival in November and the Holman-Fuller House Museum Reception in December.

The museum also offers Make It-Take It art classes with Glenda The two-story Holman-Fuller House Museum offers visitors a look into Barnwell County’s past.

Buchanan. This class teaches children the fundamentals of art the other for 9- to 12-year-olds. with the Barnwell City Parks Allowed” luncheon to raise funds for the Jean Orr Belcher Society through basic painting and crafts. Made possible through a grant and Recreation Department.

The Barnwell County Arts program and, most recently, the The classes are held in the spring from the Greater Savannah and fall. There are two classes River Community Foundation, Council also collaborated with annual “Serving up Soups for the – one of 6- to 8-year-olds and the class is held in collaboration the museum to hold a “No Boys Arts” fundraiser.

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Williston Museum is treasure to town

ounded in 1989 by the late Billie Jean Martin Sprawls, the Williston Museum is a treasure to the community.

The museum building itself tells of a rich history. The museum and town library are housed in an early Williston school house located near downtown Williston.

On display are mementoes honoring service men and women who have sacrificed for freedom, Wonderful Williston Weekend and Williston-Elko Blue Devil memorabilia, clothing worn in the early 1900s, pictures of notable former residents and articles related to the Best Friend train of Charleston.

Sprawls served for many years on the Williston Town Council as well as serving as curator of the Williston Museum until her death in 2003.

Following her death, the Williston Museum was closed for several years. The Williston Town Council eventually established the Williston Museum Committee to oversee the operation of the museum. The Williston Museum Committee worked for several years to renovate the museum building and to expand the museum’s collections. The museum reopened to the public Oct. 25, 2008.

The museum is open Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located at 5121 Springfield Road, Williston.

To see the museum at another time, schedule an event or volunteer, call Julia Ravenscroft at (803) 266-3985, the Town Hall at (803) 266-7015 or Janice Wakefield at (803) 266-3475.

One display (at left) pays homage to notable former Williston residents, including the late Bettye Ackerman, an actress who is best known for her role in the 1960s medical series “Ben Casey”.

At right, this display references how the town used to be the Asparagus Capital of the World.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

While many people still come to the library for books, the computers have become a popular feature.

Libraries offer more than books

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor - jonathan.vickery@morris.com

BARNWELL COUNTY BRANCHES

Barnwell Branch Manager: Kim Hatfield 40 Burr Street (803) 259-3612 Hours: • Monday-Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Sunday: closed

Blackville Branch Manager: Ruthie Hewitt 19420 Solomon Blatt Avenue (803) 284-2295 Hours: • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 6 p.m.

• Wednesday: 2 to 6 p.m.

• Friday-Sunday: closed

Williston Branch Manager: Jo Crider 5121 Springfield Road (803) 266-3027

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arnwell County’s three public libraries offer residents more than just books on a shelf.

In recent years, the libraries have seen fewer items physically checked out as more people download books from their website, www.abbe-lib.org.

During the 2014 fiscal year, more than 150,000 patrons visited Barnwell County’s three branches. Those visits netted more than 60,000 items checked out – 38,519 in Barnwell, 3,252 in Blackville, and 17,790 in Williston, according to statistics provided by Mary Jo Dawson, director of the Aiken-Bamberg-Barnwell-Edgefield (ABBE) Regional Library System, which includes the branches in Barnwell, Blackville and Williston.

Dawson said usage of their digital branch library is increasing. During the last fiscal year, 27,000 downloadable e-books and audiobooks were circulated by ABBE cardholders.

“Since more patrons across our four-county service area are discovering the convenience of downloading e-books and audiobooks from our website to their Kindles, tablets, and phones, we have expanded our offerings in November 2014. We now offer access to two services, OverDrive and the 3M Cloud Library,” said Dawson.

“The public libraries in Barnwell County improve the quality of life for each of the communities we serve,” said Dawson. “I hope that every citizen in Barnwell County will visit one of our buildings in 2015 and take advantage of the programs and services we offer.”

In addition to books, Dawson said they have more people utilizing their facilities for online services, such as filing taxes and using the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce website looking for work. “Thanks to a federal grant received in fiscal year 2014, the public libraries in Barnwell and Blackville are now offering access to specialized computer workstations with software and databases geared to users who are creating resumes, writing cover letters, searching for jobs, and completing online job applications,” she said.

In the past fiscal year, the Barnwell branch had 24,705 sessions on their computers, while Blackville and Williston had 8,093 and 5,994 sessions, respectively.

The libraries offer a variety of programs throughout the year, including the popular summer reading program. It encourages children to check out books and attend weekly programs, such as a visit by magician Chad Crews, which helps keep children’s minds active during the summer months. The theme for 2015 is Escape the Ordinary and will feature super fun programs, reading challenges and prizes.

In addition, ABBE libraries have begun offering a small collection of high quality, educational toys in their children’s areas. “These collections, called Play to Read, provide simple, literacyboosting play activities for babies and toddlers,” Dawson said.

The library system receives funding from local governments, but also relies on donations. The Friends of the Libraries of Barnwell County is a non-profit group that seeks to raise funds for the three Barnwell County branches.

Mail donations to P.O. Box 183 or learn more by calling Dawson at (803) 642-7575.

Hours: • Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 6 p.m.

• Friday-Sunday: closed E-Newsletters: Subscribe to e-Newsletters offered by the ABBE Regional Library System including an edition about programs and events at the Barnwell County Public Library and This Just In, a monthly compilation of the newest books, audiobooks, and DVDs available to library cardholders.

Visit the ABBE Regional Library website to subscribe.

Rosie Price (below) returns books to their place on the shelves of the Barnwell Library.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The Gail Reyes Senior Center in Barnwell was redecorated in 2012 after they received a grant.

County gaining second senior center

By Jonathan Vickery Managing Editor jonathan.vickery@morris.com

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promotes health.”

All of this is done at no cost to seniors, though donations are accepted if they can afford it. Instead, the center relies on fundraisers, funds from the United Way, grants, donations and funding from federal, state and local governments.

For seniors who are homebound, the center uses volunteers to deliver meals to

ptions for senior citizens in Barnwell County are expanding in 2015.

The Gail Reyes Senior Center, which also goes by the unofficial name of the Sundial Café, serves seniors throughout Barnwell County. The center, located at 11403 Ellenton Street in Barnwell, was redecorated in 2012 thanks to a grant from the Lower Savannah Council of Government to make it more attractive and inviting.

The center provides four hours of activities for seniors age 60 and over as well as a hot, wellbalanced meal Monday through Friday. Activities include exercise programs, dancing, health advice, computer classes, arts and crafts, and trips to the Fuller Park Farmers Market in Barnwell to promote Virginia Nettles leads seniors in line dancing at an healthy eating. the Gail Reyes Senior Center.

“Studies have demonstrated that seniors age successfully if they are not more than 100 seniors in the county. “Our isolated and remain involved in activities. home delivered meals program helps Many seniors experience food anxiety due seniors stay in their homes for as long as to reduced incomes and higher food costs,” possible by ensuring that at least one-third said Lisa Firmender, executive director of of their daily nutritional needs are met. In Generations Unlimited, which operates the addition, in many cases, our volunteers senior center. “Our congregate day program are the only person that senior may see provides a variety of recreational activities, or speak to. Maintaining seniors in their evidenced based exercise and health and homes is much more cost effective than nutritional educational programs to keep providing nursing home level of care,” said seniors engaged and healthy. In addition, Firmender. they also receive a nutritious meal which While the senior center offers their

services to seniors throughout the county, the town of Blackville has been an underserved area.

“None of our congregate clients who attend the day program are from Blackville,” said Firmender. “We also serve the home delivered meals clients in Blackville five frozen meals with fresh supplements once per week rather than a daily hot meal because we are not able to get enough volunteers from Blackville to deliver meals on a daily basis.”

That’s why Firmender is excited that funding from the lieutenant governor’s office is allowing them to open a satellite center in Blackville at the former Blackville Country Club building in January 2015. This will help ensure they are identifying and serving seniors in Blackville and, hopefully, increase their volunteer base so they will have enough people to deliver daily event at hot meals to homebound seniors instead of weekly frozen meals.

“This program is really going to have a positive effect on seniors in Blackville,” said Firmender.

In addition to activities and meals, the center provides transportation and other support and referral services for seniors.

Anyone interested in joining the senior center must go through an assessment to see if they qualify. Contact the senior center at (803) 259-4599 or generationsunlimited@ yahoo.com.

Learn more about the senior center by visiting www.generationsunlimited.org.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Relay for Life brings outs hundreds each spring to raise money for breast cancer research. Many survivors and their families attend.

CIVIC GROUPS American Legion •Post 46, Barnwell, William Guthro, (803) 259-7873 •Post 91 - Blackville, Edward Rockwell, (803) 284-1730 •Post 246 - Barnwell, Lonnie Hosey, (803) 259-1178 •Post 253 - Blackville, John Minus, (803) 284-5222 Together Sisters, Janice Livingston, (803) 284-3238 Members of City Wide Youth Empowerment, a new group, sort backpacks to give out to children at their first-ever community back-to-school bash in August 2014.

U.S. Marine Corps League, Leathernecks, Detachment 1227, Floyd Bodiford, league commandant, (803) 541-5782 Vietnam Veterans of America, Salkehatchie chapter 828, Tom Cuny, chapter president, (803)259-2602 American Red Cross, Greater Edisto chapter, (803) 534-5735 American Cancer Society, Marnie Wall, (803) 632-2048 Barnwell County Rotary Club, Daniel Harvey, president Barnwell County United Way Claudia Burdette, (803) 259-2218 Barnwell Lions Club, (803) 259-3469 Big Seven Association, James Wallace Jr., (803) 584-6127 Blackville Civic Club, Ann Pernell, (803) 284-0102 El BAB Shrine Club, John N. Griffin - president, (803) 266-3688 Knights of Columbus Council 916 Grand Knight Leon Wizorek, (803) 259-7725 http://naacp.3cdn.net/a73a31273662f860e9_vwm6b8zpw.jpg

NAACP Barnwell-Blackville Chapter, Harris Barker - president, (803) 259-5135 Williston CommUNITY Coalition, Ferlecia Cuthbertson Community Uplift Program (CUP), Ferlecia Cuthbertson http://naacp.3cdn.net/a73a31273662f860e9_vwm6b8zpw.jpg [11/26/2013 10:05:53 AM]

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COMMUNITY RECREATION

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Hunting, boating and fishing in Barnwell Co.

The piers at Lake Edgar Brown in the city of Barnwell are popular fishing spots for residents and visitors.

hether you’re a hunter, fisherman, athletic enthusiast, boater or just a nature buff, Barnwell County may be just the place for you.

The county features prevalent rural settings brimming with deer, ducks, turkeys and many other species, each with their own hunting season.

Fishing is as close as a short walk for most residents. Fishermen have many choices of local waters from which to wet their hooks.

From the popular Lake Edgar Brown and many small creeks, to the expansive and beautiful Savannah River, those who love the water will find many options in Barnwell County.

PUBLIC PARKS BARNWELL

•Collins Park •Darnell Park •Lemon Park •Fuller Park •Jack Phillips Park •Lake Edgar Brown •Veterans Memorial Park •Kilkenny Park To reserve a park in Barnwell, call (803) 259-3317.

BLACKVILLE

•Barnwell State Park, For reservations, call (803) 284-2212.

•Healing Springs

SNELLING

•Snelling Town Park, For reservations, call 259-1464.

WILLISTON

•Williston Town Park, For reservations, Town Hall at (803) 266-7015. There is no cost, but an agreement must be signed.

•Library Park Barnwell State Park offers the perfect place to swim or row a boat Find more information on community events by checking the Community Calendar page in The People-Sentinel.

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COMMUNITY RECREATION

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Barnwell

nder the guidance of Mike Shumaker, the city recreation director, the department has added activities — many are non-athletic and geared toward all ages from toddlers to senior citizens.

Three times a year, the recreation department publishes a guide for upcoming activities. They are available online and at city hall.

The Barnwell recreation department still offers traditional athletic programs, including baseball and machine-pitch baseball for children from 6 years old. Five-year-olds can play T-ball.

There is also softball for girls. Registration for these sports starts in March. The season runs from April through June. At the close of the regular season all-star teams are chosen.

Barnwell’s football season starts in mid-September and runs to the end of October for children 4 to 12 years old. Registration begins in August. Teams may include 7- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 12-year-olds. There are also flag football teams.

Running parallel with football season is cheerleading for girls ages 3 to 13 years old. Registration is the same time as football.

Barnwell’s basketball season runs from January through March.

Sign-ups are in November.

Barnwell also offers several adult leagues.

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Blackville

lackville offers a slate of core sports for children to adults.

Blackville has T-ball for children 5 to 8 years old. Youth baseball teams are for 9- to 12-year-olds. Registration is in April.

Blackville’s football program runs from mid-September to the end of October with sign-ups at the start of August. The program has three age divisions: flag football for 5- to 7-year-olds; PeeWees for 8- to 10-years-olds and 11- to 12-year-olds.

Its cheerleading program runs with its football program for girls from 5 to 12 years old.

Blackville’s basketball program has co-ed teams of 8- to 12-years-olds. Bridget Brown is the basketball program director.

Blackville has men’s and women’s adult league softball with the season running from March to July.

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Williston

illiston offers a variety of youth athletics.

Williston has baseball, girls’ softball and T-ball from midMarch to mid-May. Sign-ups begin in mid-February until the end of March.

Williston football runs from September to the end of October with registration starting the week before school begins. Williston fields different age divisions, one for 9- to 10-year-olds and another for 11to 12-year-olds.

Williston’s cheerleading season runs with its football season for girls 9 to 12 years old.

There is basketball for boys and girls from 7 to 12 years old. Its season runs from January until mid-February. Registration is in November/December.

Williston offers co-ed soccer for 5- to 8-year-olds and is played on the town soccer field. Its season runs from mid-September through the third week of October with sign-ups during September.

Williston also has two tennis camps for children 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 years old in June.

Keep up with all the local teams on the sports pages of The People-Sentinel.

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COMMUNITY RECREATION

Rendering of the Family Y of Barnwell County which is scheduled to open in January 2015.

YMCA bringing healthy opportunities to Barnwell County

By Jonathan Vickery - Managing Editor - jonathan.vickery@morris.com

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t started with a dream, but many people came together to make the Family YMCA of Barnwell County a reality.

The YMCA, the tenth affiliate of the Family Y of Greater Augusta (Ga.), is scheduled to open in January 2015.

Matt Mullen, who moved from Illinois to become the executive director of the Barnwell County branch, said they are fortunate to be affiliated with the YMCA in Augusta. “That’s one of the best ones in the country,” he said.

“We are so pleased by the welcome we have been extended to serve the Barnwell County communities and introduce traditional Y programming that will help to strengthen individuals, families and children,” said Danny McConnell, president and CEO of the Family Y of Greater Augusta. “The Y is dedicated to strengthening the communities we serve through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

“We really want to be a county resource,” added Mullen.

The YMCA will be housed in a building across from the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office on Joey Zorn Boulevard in the city of Barnwell. “We’re extremely blessed and lucky to have a building like this to start with. YMCAs don’t usually start like this,” said Mullen of how the building doesn’t need much work other than paint, electrical, flooring and landscaping.

Since they don’t have to spend money building a facility, Mullen said they are investing in quality equipment, including for the health and wellness center. They will also have a chapel, child care area, computer lab, community rooms, group fitness areas, children’s clubhouse and a member’s lounge.

“It will be my privilege to introduce the family-friendly, healthy programs of the YMCA to Barnwell County and the surrounding

communities,” said Mullen.

The 160-year-old YMCA organization is a “non-profit like no other” which serves 10,000 neighborhoods across the country, according to their website. Their program focuses on three areas – youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“We’re more than a gym, we’re a cause,” states the organization’s website. “We believe that to bring about meaningful change in individuals and communities, we must be focused and accountable. At the Y, we measure the success of our cause by how well we engage communities in our three areas of focus.”

Meaningful change is exactly why some in the county pushed to bring a YMCA here.

Barnwell County Councilman Jerry Creech was one of the major proponents. He wanted to offer more options to young people and give them a reason to stay here, though the YMCA offers programs for all ages.

At a community meeting in January 2014 to discuss the possibility of a YMCA, Sheriff Ed Carroll, who was on the independent recreation committee that worked to make the YMCA a reality, said crime increases 11 percent in the county during the summer months, mostly juvenile crime. Carroll attributes this to a lack of things for young people to do in the summertime.

His hope is the YMCA will help change those statistics.

“See what the people of Barnwell County can do when they put their minds to it,” Mullen said of the effort to bring a YMCA to the area. “It’s important we all work together.”

While the YMCA will have employees, they welcome volunteers to help with events and fundraising.

Keep up with the latest happenings at the Family Y of Barnwell County by visiting their Facebook page.

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COMMUNITY CHURCHES

Faith, Family, Fellowship

Members of Bethany Baptist Church in Barnwell re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross during their 2014 Easter drama Three Days.

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By Will Whaley - Staff Writer - william.whaley@morris.com

arnwell County is a county with at least one (sometimes two) churches on every corner.

There are more than 30 churches in and near the city of Barnwell, more than 15 churches around the towns of Blackville and Williston and at least one church near each of the smaller towns of Elko, Hilda, Kline and Snelling.

Churches are constantly having events. Whether a Gospel Festival or a community outreach event, the churches are involved in the community development of Barnwell County.

With this many churches around, it is impossible to say that you can’t find one to go to.

The churches in Barnwell County have a wide variety of denominations, and all of them welcome visitors with open arms.

The People-Sentinel welcomes churches to submit announcements about events and happenings to be published on the Many churches give back to their community, including Faith page. A weekly pastor ’s Winfield Heights Baptist in Williston through their food column written by area paspantry. They received a $25,000 donation from the tors is also published.

Walmart Foundation in 2014 to buy equipment and food.

These children are members of the Good News Club at Barnwell Primary School.

The club, sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship and volunteers from area churches, is an afterschool club that aims to reach children with a Christian message.

There are also clubs at Barnwell Elementary, Kelly Edwards Elementary in Williston and Macedonia Elementary in Blackville.

Keep up with all church happenings on the Faith page of The People-Sentinel.

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EDUCATION

SCHOOLS

BARNWELL

•Barnwell Academy, (803) 259-4465 •Barnwell Elementary, (803) 541-1285 •Barnwell High, (803) 541-1390 •Barnwell Primary, (803) 541-1321 •Barnwell School Dist. 45, (803) 541-1300, www.barnwell45.org •Guinyard-Butler Middle, (803) 541-1370

Education: An important lesson in Barnwell County

BLACKVILLE

•Barnwell County Career Center, (803) 259-5512 •Barnwell Christian, (803) 259-2100 •Blackville-Hilda Junior High, (803) 284-5900 •Blackville-Hilda High, (803) 284-5700 •Barnwell School Dist. 19, (803) 284-5605, www.barnwell19.k12.sc.us •Calvary Fellowship Mennonite, (803) 284-2876 •Jefferson Davis Academy, (803) 284-2476 upper school, (803) 284-2017 grammar school •Macedonia Elementary, (803) 284-5800

WILLISTON

•IHS Christian School, (803) 266-7372 •Kelly Edwards Elementary, (803) 266-3737 •Williston-Elko Middle, (803) 266-3430 •Williston-Elko High, (803) 266-3110 •Williston School Dist. 29, (803) 266-7878

CONTINUING EDUCATION

•Aiken Technical College, (803) 593-9231, www.atc.edu •Augusta State University, (706) 737-1405, www.aug.edu •Denmark Technical College, (803) 793-5176, www.denmarktech.edu, Barnwell facility, (803) 259-9331 •USC-Aiken, (803) 648-6851 www.usca.edu •USC-Salkehatchie, West campus (803) 584-3446, East campus,(843) 549-6314, www.uscsalkehatchie.sc.edu •Voorhees College, (803) 780-1234, www.voorhees.edu

Shannon Craig leads her students at Jefferson Davis Academy in a counting exercise.

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By Jonathan Vickery Managing Editor jonathan.vickery@morris.com

ach year, educators work hard to equip thousands of Barnwell County students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful, productive members of society.

A majority of students go to one of the county’s three public school districts – Barnwell District 45, Barnwell District 19 (Blackville-Hilda Public Schools) and Williston District 29.

There are a lot of differences in the three districts, but they all have exciting things going on in their classrooms.

Many gains have been made when it comes to academic achievement, including on state standardized test scores. The South Carolina State Department of Education regularly releases new data concerning public schools.

Data can be found online at ed.sc.gov.

Districts 19 and 45 earned their first-ever district-wide accreditation from AdvancEd in recent years, though District 29 is scheduled to go through accreditation in 2015. District accreditation is a fairly new trend, though individual schools have done it for years.

Other noteworthy accomplishments include: Williston-Elko High School named one of America’s Top High Schools that’s Beating the Odds by Newsweek magazine; students at Blackville-Hilda Junior High School receiving iPads to assist with learning; the addition of an art program at Barnwell Primary; and all District 19 students receiving free breakfast and lunch each day.

New in the 2014-15 school year, the state provided funding for each primary and elementary school in the state to hire a

The school bus is a popular means of transportation for many students in Barnwell County.

reading coach to help students who need extra assistance.

There’s been talk recently of consolidating the three districts. Lawmakers formed a committee to study how consolidation could look, though further action would have to be taken to actually consolidate. Regardless of what happens, the districts agree they can work together more to save money and help students, such as expanding programs at the Barnwell County Career Center (BCCC).

The BCCC offers more than 300 high school students – public, private See page 29

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BARNWELL COUNTY

Williston School District 29 12255 Main St.,Williston, S.C. 29853 • www.williston.k12.sc.us Admin. Assistant:Debbie McNeil • dmcneil@williston.k12.sc.us Interim Superintendent: Dr. Carol P. Lenderman clenderman@williston.k12.sc.us Ph: (803) 266-7878

Willston 29 School Board

Kelly Edwards Elementary (Grades K4-5) Principal: Nakeisha Baxley nbaxley@williston.k12.sc.us • (803) 266-3737

Williston-Elko Middle Mr. Billy A. Williams Jr. Chairman

Mrs. Doris B. Young

Mr. Charles Melton Secretary

(Grades 6-8) Principal: Mr. Greg Sweet gsweet@wiIliston.k12.sc.us • (803) 266-3430

Mr. Mike Hutto Vice-Chairman

Mrs. Ferlecia Cuthbertson

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Dr. Carol Lenderman Interim Superintendent

(Grades 9-12) Principal: Mr. Joel Mitchell jmitchell@williston.k12.sc.us • (803) 266-3110

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Williston-Elko High

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Schools

EDUCATION

FROM PAGE 26

and homeschooled – a chance at handson learning through 12 courses – welding, drafting, business education, building construction, computer repair, health science, criminal justice, early childhood education, electricity, agriculture, cosmetology and automotive technology.

“This centrally located facility provides – at minimum cost – the best career training for all students and citizens of Barnwell County,” according to the school’s website.

Students often put their newfound skills to use to help others. Electricity students installed hundreds of new lights in the school’s main building and found an electrical short, which saves the school money while teaching students valuable hands-on skills. Welding students designed, built and installed a new metal security gate for the Local Motion transportation system’s Beth Bodiford (left), a first grade teacher bus lot.

The school opened in 1969 on a 160- at Kelly Edwards Elementary School in acre site on Reynolds Road “in an effort to Williston, received the Golden Apple Award provide convenient access to the students from WJBF News Channel 6 in 2014. and citizens of Barnwell County,” according Barnwell County residents can attend at no to their website.

A majority of their students come from the charge. Non-resident students can attend for county’s three public school districts, though a fee.

The BCCC concludes each year with a private and home-school students who are

completer’s ceremony for students who complete their respective two-year program.

Often times, this helps students with a future career.

Parents looking for an alternative to public schools have several private schools to choose from, as well as the home-schooling option.

Jefferson Davis Academy is the largest private school in the county. It’s located in Blackville and serves students of all grade levels. Their football team is the Raiders.

There are also several other private schools run by individuals and churches, such as Barnwell Academy.

When students earn their high school diploma, they don’t have to go very far to further their education and gain the skills needed for a career.

Denmark Technical College has a facility in Barnwell, though several colleges, universities and technical colleges are within an hour of Barnwell County. The Salkehatchie campus of the University of South Carolina is just a half hour away in neighboring Allendale County, though there’s also a campus in Walterboro. The Allendale campus is excited about the opening of their first-ever on-campus dormitory.

The People-Sentinel regularly publishes an Education page about what’s happening at Barnwell County’s schools.

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When looking across Barnwell County at all the businesses that have sustained and thrived through the years, The PeopleSentinel is at the top of the list.

The newspaper dates back to 1852 when The (Barnwell) Palmetto Sentinel was established. In 1925 it merged with the Barnwell People, which began publication in 1877.

Currently in its 162nd year of publication, The People-Sentinel has changed over the years in size, shape, staff and locations but one thing has never changed – the commitment of its owners and staff to provide the very best in news, features and advertising to its readers.

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