When father and son, Dean and Jeff Holder decided to renovate the old LeJuans building in downtown Pickens, little did they know, today they would be restaurant owners. “Daddyand I had lots of fun working together remodeling the building. Our hope was that someone would lease the building sharing our vision for a restaurant that would be a modern version of what it once was. We listened to quite a few groups with their ideas but when we met with Chef Lee Pollard, we knew we had what felt like the perfect fit for Pickens,” says Jeff.

Lee brings to Pickens and the surrounding community over 50 years of experience and hard work cultivating his love of serving the very best. Previously, Lee was with Calhoun Corners and Pixie & Bill’s Restaurants in Clemson and most recently with Lee’s Café 11, named for Lee, located at the Market on Highway 11 with the Cliff’s Communities to name a few. Because of his reputation for preparing delicious meals, Lee has many repeat customers who continue to follow him enjoying his talents and gifts of fine food preparation. Lee continues his love of cooking at the GateHouse Restaurant, which offers a unique dining experience blending traditional, southern cuisine with touches of upscale dining in a family atmosphere. Come as you are and enjoy an eclectic menu that has something sure to suit every taste.

An award-winning chef, Lee was honored in 1981 for his soup recipe in South Carolina Cook Book. In 2005, The Heritage Corridor showcased his delicious peach crepes and in 2007, Chef Pollard won the “Best of the Best” in Southern Living Magazine for his peach cobbler. His barbeque has also been recognized statewide among various publications as well.

The restaurant also features historic Hagood Mill’s grits, which are available on the buffet, accompany the featured appetizer, Fried Green Tomatoes and are served with the ever-popular Shrimp & Grits entree’. The grits are also sold at the restaurant in the Grab & Go case, along with Lee’s homemade signature salad dressings, sandwich spreads, homemade cookies and various other selections. Additionally, the Boar’s Head Deli case offers sliced meats and cheeses to go or you can order a Ham orTurkeyfor any special occasion.

The GateHouse Restaurant offers full-service catering and has unlimited service available to assist you in planning your special event. The banquet room, which seats as many as 80, offers on-site dining for your business meeting or special event. Another option is our outdoor-kitchen at Willow Creek Ranch which allows onsite cooking. You can enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors, which features a rustic open air pavilion, picnic tables, fire pit and rambling creek.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us since early November”, Dean states. “Opening a restaurant has been a major challenge for a family with no restaurant experience. Our goal from day one has been to provide the best food and service we could for the people who come to the GateHouse Restaurant. With Lee’s guidance, we will strive to improve each day to make that happen.”

Located at 116 Ann Street in Pickens, GateHouse Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. for lunch; 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for dinner and on Sunday from 10:45 until 2:00 p.m. Take-out orders are also available by calling 864-507-4310.

The church is called New Beginnings Church of Pickens.   New Beginnings is a place where you can experience the love of God regardless of your past failures, mistakes or bad choices.  We know that Christ can give you a new beginning,  a new birth in a positive abundant life.  It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, single again, young, middle age or retirement age, whatever your status in life and regardless of how young, or young at heart you are… You too can experience a new beginning in Christ. Visit the church online at http://newbeginningschurch.cc.

Pastor Stewart says he felt called to start this new contemporary church in his hometown.  Already the church has baptized 10 people at the indoor pool at the Pickens County YMCA, have had weddings and even funerals. But most important is their commitment to meeting needs in Pickens.  The church’s mission is to fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). One way they do that is by engaging the culture in Pickens through mission work. Whether through feeding the hungry, passing out candy in Trunk of Treats in October, helping out Country Santa, or other mission opportunities, New Beginnings wants to impact lives and meet needs in Pickens. Almost every instance of Jesus ministering, he always took care of the physical needs and then the spiritual needs. We want to do the same.  Think of the blind getting their sight, feeding the multitudes, raising the dead, and healing the sick. We take seriously Matthew 25:31-46.“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40).

Pastor Stewart invites those without a church home to become part of this mission opportunity. Come and get a New Beginning in outreach to those in need.  Again, look for them on Main Street Pickens Saturday, October 29th giving away candy at their Trunk of Treats.

US Congressman Jeff Duncan

Jeff is a 1988 graduate of Clemson University where he played football for Coach Danny Ford. Before being elected to Congress, he served as President and CEO of J. Duncan Associates, a South Carolina based, family owned real estate marketing firm which specialized in statewide real estate auctions.

Jeff was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2002, and was named Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee in 2007.

Jeff is a strong advocate for energy independence and served on the US Department of the Interior’s Outer Continental Shelf’s 5 year Planning Sub-Committee for making recommendations on oil and natural gas leases on offshore areas.

Jeff serves on three committees in the United States House of Representatives: The Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Jeff has been married to his wife Melody for twenty-two years and they have three sons: Graham, John Philip, and Parker. The Duncan’s are members of First Baptist Church of Clinton.

Visit Congressman Duncan online:

• Congressman Jeff Duncan, US House of Representatives
• Jeff Duncan – Republican for Congress
• Jeff Duncan – YouTube

The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on February 10 with entertainment by Sweet Potato Pie of the Young Appalachian Musicians.

Wayne Kelley, Duke Energy Citizen of the Year

This year’s Duke Energy Citizen of the Year is Wayne Kelley. Wayne was recognized for his service to the community along with his dedication to preserving the history and historical sites in Pickens.

Cassell and Hendricks, CPA, Chamber Member of the year

The Chamber Member of the year is longtime Chamber member Cassell and Hendricks, CPA. They were recognized for their continuing support of the Chamber and to the community.

Case Interior Design, Chamber Business of the year

The Chamber’s Community Business of the year is Case Interior Design. George and Angie Case were recognized for their business commitment and to improving the community of Pickens. Congratulations to Wayne Kelley, Cassell & Hendricks and Case Interior Design this past year for their work to make the community of Pickens a better place.

The Board and I would like to express our appreciation to all the Chamber members and to the sponsors for their support.

Sponsors for the banquet were:

• City of Pickens
• Pickens Savings and Loan
• Pickens Dental Associates
• Duke Energy
• Cornell Dubilier
• Blue Ridge Electric
• Lindsay Oil
• Great Oaks Dental
• OWT
• Columbus Life
• Cannon Memorial Hospital
• Faith Lutheran Chapel
• The Rock at Jocassee
• Dunburks Premier Events
• Larry Martin
• Michael Tate
• Stockade “N” Stuff
• Edward Jones
• Town and Country Florist
• The Parkette

In the fall of 2009, a group of citizens, business owners and City officials came together to develop a direction and vision for the future of the City of Pickens. Working alongside of the City’s Planning Commission, the City’s Steering Committee was formed. Over the course of the next several months this group looked at ways to improve the economic environment of the City, and the quality of life.

With the creation of a mission and vision statement, the committee moved forward on ideas and projects.

A few of the accomplishments this past year are:

• Updated the City of Pickens website.
• Creation of a “Discover Pickens” website.
• Developed a “Starting a Business in Pickens” brochure.
• Designed a “Shop Pickens” brochure.
• Selected a new City slogan “Pickens, Where the Mountains Begin.”
• Placed historical plaques.
• Received a grant for continuation of streetscape.
• City Park.
• Development of Market Plan and Branding for City.”
• Development of park ride bike trail.
• Sustainable trail development.
• Cruise-In event for downtown.
• Creation of an Art Gallery.
• Landscape plan for part of City.
• Revision of sign “Welcome to Pickens”.

The committee continues to move forward with ideas and to work under the Main Street Program.

27th Annual Pickens Azalea Festival

Planning for the 27th Annual Azalea Festival is well underway. This year’s festival will be April 15 & 16. Last year’s was the largest crowd ever for the 2 day event and was featured on NBC’s Early Today Show. With the cruise-in, concerts, arts and crafts, this year’s festival should be just as big.

Golf Tournament

Along with the Azalea Festival is the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Thursday, April 14 at The Rock. This year the Chamber is partnering with Feed a Hungry Child in Pickens County with ½ of the proceeds going to Feed a Hungry Child.

Chamber Annual Banquet

The Chamber Annual Banquet is scheduled for Feb. 10 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall with entertainment provided by the Young Appalachians Musicians group Sweet Potato Pie. It is not too late to purchase your tickets at the Pickens Chamber of Commerce Office. Cost of the tickets is $30 each.

2010 has been a challenging year for the Chamber as we continue to seek ways to promote and improve the business environment for our members. Even in this difficult economic time, I have seen an increase in business activity and hiring. This year the Chamber has worked with the City and the business community to promote the downtown area and to lay the groundwork for improved business development. The Chamber is your business voice not only on economic development but on legislative issues that affect you business.

As a new year begins, the Board and I want to thank each member and the community for your support as we look forward to 2011.

2011 Chamber Golf Tournament:

This year the Chamber will partner with Feed a Hungry Child in Pickens County for its annual Golf Tournament on April 13, 2011 at The Rock. Feed a Hungry Child Pickens County is a charity that raises money for children in the Pickens County School District who go home on Friday afternoon and do not have anything eat until they return to school on Monday. They are sending food home with children for the weekend. The cost to feed one child for the entire school year if $128.

You will hear more about the Golf Tournament over the next few months.

Tax Reform:

• The Chamber advocates achieving comprehensive tax reform, including repealing Act 388.
• Reforming the business license fee structure.

Economic Development:

• Achieving comprehensive tort reform, including non-economic damage caps, punitive damage caps, limits on appeals bonds and seatbelt admissibility.
• Continuing port expansion, including a dual rail access solution and port dredging.
• Strengthening intellectual property rights of employers.
• Adequate, dedicated and recurring funding for broad tourism marketing and matching dollars around the state.
• Providing available and cost effective energy.

Workforce Development:

• Funding for key education initiatives, including Personal Pathways to Success (EEDA) and the endowed chairs program.
• Legislation to help achieve the business community’s 2020 Education Goals.
• Supporting early childhood reading initiatives.

Regulatory Relief:

• Ensuring South Carolina environmental standards are no more stringent than federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.
• Streamlining the environmental permitting process.

Health Care:

• Legislation to ensure employers are able to provide sound and cost-effective health insurance for employees.

Government Restructuring:

• Creating a state spending cap with a budget stabilization fund to bring more predictability to state spending.
• Amending state statutes to move away from a revenue estimating-based budget process to a prior-year’s budget as a basis for protections.
• Consolidating the administrative functions of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board into the Office of the Governor.

2010 Pickens Chamber Christmas Luncheon

The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday December 14 from 12 – 1:30 PM at the Pickens Presbyterian Church. Come celebrate the season and visit with your fellow Chamber members.

The cost is $15.00 per person. Send you check made payable to the Pickens Chamber of Commerce by Dec 8. Mail to P. O. Box 153, Pickens, SC, 29671.

Foothills Playhouse presents Christmas Play

Foothills Playhouse presents The Musical Comedy SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS, December 3-12, 2010.  The play was written by Connie Ray and conceived by Alan Bailey, with musical arrangements by John Foley & Gary Fagin.  “Back on our stage by popular demand, the Sanders family brings to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist church their down-home brand of song and witnessin’! It’s Christmas Eve, 1941, and the more or less devoted Sanders family will keep you laughing, clapping and singing along with bluegrass Christmas favorites, hymns, and hilarious yuletide stories.”

SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. and is being directed by Donna Duffie.  For tickets and reservations visit www.EasleyFoothillsPlayhouse.com

2010 Pickens Christmas Parade

The city of Pickens will celebrate Christmas with a Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. on December 11 followed by a tree lighting ceremony. The parade route begins at Pickens High School, travels down Jewel Street onto Main Street ending at Pickens Presbyterian Church. This year’s theme is “Christmas characters.” For more information call 864-878-6421 or visit www.discoverpickens.com

I would to introduce you to a community effort that is making a difference in the lives of Pickens County children. Every weekend, 1 out of 17 students goes home and does not receive adequate nutrition until they return to school the following Monday. This results in frequent visits to the school nurse, absence from class and low grades. Hungry children do not have the physical strength or mental capacity to excel at school and reach their educational potential.

This program is patterned after the Rock Hill School District who saw the same need and implemented the program in their District. After one complete year they wanted to find out if it was working or not. Records were checked of the children who had participated in the program. They were shocked to find that 80% of these students improved academically and their visits to the school nurse decreased by 40%.

By working with the Pickens County School District Office and the individuals, over 700 children were identified who receive little or no food over the weekend. The Feed a Hungry Child Program started with a group of individuals and churches who saw a need and decided to do something it. They are partnering with Golden Harvest Food Bank out of Augusta, Georgia and Liberty to provide each child with food over the weekend.

Since the kickoff in October the Pickens community has responded so that several schools are already receiving the food. The cost of each bag is $4.00. The cost to feed one child for the entire school year is $128.00. If you would like more information about how you or your church can be involved you can call 864-987-9890, e-mail at help@pickenschildrne.com or visit the web site at http://www.pickenschildren.com/.

Ten at the Top

On October 5 a community forum was held at Dunburks on Ten at the Top, a regional collaboration on a vision for the 10 county upstate region. Over 70 attendees heard Ten at the Top Executive Director Dean Hyble, presented a summary of a recent survey taken by over 8,000 participants in the ten upstate counties about their opinion of what the region should be in 2030.

As part of the presentation, he highlighted what Pickens County residents’ said in the survey compared to the rest of the upstate. We are in one of seven high-growth areas in the United States with significant growth expected over the next 20 years. After the presentation he gave the tables a list of five questions regarding future needs of the region. Many attendees discussed issues and made suggestions. One representative from each table then summarized a question and reported to the group. A final report will be generated from a compilation of information taken at the twelve community forum in a few months.

Dean Hyble stated that he was “pleased with the Pickens community forum”, noting that the attendance was excellent and there was much participation in the discussions.

Article by Preston Bruce, Pickens County Historical Society

Amy Gantt, Pickens Chamber of Commerce, Preston Bruce, Pickens County Historical Society vice president, Katherine Brackett, Pickens City Administrator, Robert Bobo, Owner of Bivens Hardware, Mayor David Owens, and Mike Parrott Director of the Pickens Chamber of Commerce, show off the new plaque identifying Bivens Hardware.

What began as an idea presented during a session of the Pickens City Steering Committee, has now become a reality thanks to a joint project lead by the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce, the Pickens County Historical Society, and several uptown business owners.

Four businesses, Bivens Hardware, Brock’s Department Store, Garrens Café, and Stockade & Stuff Antiques now have plaques that adorn their buildings and highlight the structure’s history while providing pedestrians a look into Pickens’ past.

The idea behind this is to create an environment along the Main Street Corridor that is conducive to foot traffic and makes Uptown Pickens a true destination for locals and tourists alike.

“This plays in nicely with the Historical Society’s plan to mark the top fifty historic sites in Pickens County,” says PCHS President Ken Nabors. Additionally, at least five other Uptown businesses have expressed an interest is having similar historical markers on their buildings.

“This is a very exciting time to live and work in Pickens,” says Steering Committee member and Historical Society Vice President Preston Bruce, “With all the great things going on here… the Fort Price George project, the wonderful plans for West Main Street, the new fountain at Legacy Square and all the other great ideas coming out of the Steering Committee, we really do still have our brightest days ahead of us.”

Anyone who is interested in getting a historic plaque for their uptown building or would just like to make a donation to help this ongoing project should contact Mike Parrott with the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce, and all are invited to stroll Uptown Pickens and see our inviting new attractions.

SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN

As part of the Pickens County Vision 2025 Sense of Place committee, the committee has identified Sassafras Mountain as a place that has historical and geological significance in South Carolina. Unfortunately over the years the state’s highest point has gone through a period of neglect. A group of citizens, county officials, and chambers of commerce are working together to improve the area at the top of Sassafras Mountain. The group goal is to improve the signage, parking, and to create an overlook area.

CHAMBER APPRECIATION WEEK

The week of October 18th-22nd 2010 is Chamber Member appreciation week. This week is a special opportunity to simply to say thank you to the many businesses and individuals that make up the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce and to recognize the membership for their containing support to the community. A drop in is planned for October 22nd from 3 pm-5pm at the Pickens Chamber office located at 222 West Main Street in Pickens.

Recognizing quick-fix solutions do not work, the Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance and the redevelopment of Main Street project areas based on their traditional assets: personal service, local ownership, a unique physical environment and a sense of community. It is an incremental, long-term, total community effort differing in philosophy and effect from capital-intensive, quick-fix projects. The Main Street Approach incorporates activities in four distinctive areas; each of these combines to build a positive, identifiable image for the Main Street project area. These areas are: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring.

Pickens County Historical Society

The Pickens County Historical Society is currently in its annual membership drive with a goal of 1000 members. The Historical Society is an organization which seeks to preserve the history and historical landmarks within our area. Some of the projects the society is working on are: historical markers, preserving over 50 historical sites within the county and the operation of the Hagood-Mauldin House.

You can join the Historical Society for as little as $10.00 a year. So, be a part of preserving our past. An application for membership can be picked up at the Pickens Chamber office or email the Historical Society at pickenscohistorical@gmail.com.