Today, let’s give thanks to the helpers in our charitable organizations, those who devote their lives to improve the lot of our neighbors, friends and family members who are in need. 

Creative volunteers from across the community have decorated trees to make them available for auction in plenty of time for hall decking this holiday season. A sneak preview is set for Wednesday, the luncheon is set for Thursday, followed by a "Tree-Mendous Party" event Friday and "Goodies with the Grinch" Saturday.

Donald Trump remains the top choice of South Carolina Republican registered voters for the Republican Party presidential nomination among the narrowing field of contenders, according to the latest Winthrop University Poll.

On Monday, AIM and the United Way of Anderson will host at communitywide distribution of a Thanksgiving meal package from 9 a.m-2 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center.

Council tabled a vote Monday night concerning economic incentives for a group planning to redevelop the old Thunderbird Motor Lodge 110 East Sharp Street downtown to allow more time to work with potential partners in the project. Calhoun Lofts LLC, which owns the Calhoun Lofts (old Calhoun Hotel), purchased the property in the summer of 2021 for $1.6 million. The total projected coast of $3 million plans to renovate the structure, which was built in 1958, to include 39 new, urban-style apartments.

Greenville & Western Railway Company, LLC, is partnering with the Belton Interfaith Ministerial Association (“BIMA”) and the Presbyterian Food Bank of Pelzer and Williamston (“PFB”) to host the “Santa Express “ to collect food for those in our community who find themselves in need this season. Those who attend this year’s event are encouraged to bring a donation of non-perishable food items to the train. Greenville & Western, BIMA and PFB volunteers will be staffing the Aiken Railway caboose (the caboose directly behind the locomotives) to accept donations which will help both organizations’ food ministry.

The “Rock the Country” festival, set for July 26-27, will also feature Travis Tritt, Brantley Gilbert, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Colt Ford, Gavin Adcock, Elvie Shane, Sadie Bass and Dee Jay Silver.

The South Carolina senator, who entered the race in May with high hopes, made the surprise announcement on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Night in America” with Trey Gowdy, one of his closest friends. The news was so unanticipated that one campaign worker told The Associated Press that campaign staff found out Scott was dropping out by watching the show.

Anderson City Council will consider financial incentives for the development of a parcel on East Sharp Street downtown, approval of the distribution of Accommodations Tax funds, and details related to the April municipal election as part of Monday’s meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

The breezy and sometimes quirky comedy is part mystery, part ode to the alpha geek dungeon master (including an oversized Renaissance Fair black cloak and imaginary girlfriend), part nightmarish mean girls, and part exploration of teen angst and part exploration of what can and often does go wrong in life.

Photo: Kelly T. Images

I know directly that members of my own family have been fighting in America since at least the time of the revolution. Sometimes they even joined the armed forces. They were the Scottish immigrants here in the Upcountry who opposed the loyalists in the American Revolution and punished the British who threatened their way of life. 

Playoff Scores

Dutch Fork 31, T.L. Hanna 28

Westside 49, York 13

Daniel 35, Wren 21

BHP 44, Pendleton 28

The Anderson Area Touchdown Club closed its 2023 season by honoring the players and coach of the year Friday at their meeting at the Anderson Institute of Technology.

It's almost the end of the year, and Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns expects the final few weeks to be a festive time for economic development announcements, with the potential for up to nine new businesses moving to the county or expanding operations here.

It kicks off Thanksgiving Day and will be open 5:30-10 p.m. through Christmas Day. Admission is $10 per car.

AnMed’s Dr. Chet Walters, a critical care. internal medicine and pulmonary medicine specialist, said the smoke has prompted air quality alerts across the region, and recommends special precautions for those with breathing issues.

Council also gave initial approval to tax incentives for a three businesses looking to locate in the county. The first is a manufacturer of color concentrates and compounds which proposes to bring 24 new jobs with salaries of $28.88 per hour. A second company proposes to bring 28 new jobs with salaries of $19.28 per hour, and the third is a firm that produces finishing and decorating materials for the building trade which is proposing to bring 26 new jobs with salaries of $26.90 per hour.

In a close vote, 2,406 voters approved the referendum, while 2,259 voted no on the measure.

Most incumbents held their seats, and a few newcomers joined them in victory in Tuesday’s municipal elections in Anderson County.

“Stoker on Stoker: Dracula Revealed,” will include a multimedia presentation in which he delves into Bram's life story and how he came to write the famous Gothic horror novel. Utilizing Bram's personal papers, he will offer insights into life in Victorian England and the inspirations for the novel that gave birth to a pop culture fascination with vampires that has lasted 125 years.