Our Towns Update for March: West Pelzer

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders says his town is preparing for the months head with an eye to restoring the legacy of events and activites. 

Sanders also discusses the economy, the town's new Saluda River property, and the partnership with thwo towns of Williamston and Pelzer in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Civic Organizations Key Part of What Makes Iva Great

By Tim Taylor, Town Clerk/Treasurer, Town of Iva

When I was appointed clerk for the Town of Iva in 2002, there were many civic organizations still organized and actively involved in their individual aspects of serving the Iva community. These groups are a big part of what makes this community great.

“The Golden Age Seniors Quilt Club,” the “Shamrock Garden Club,” “REVIVA” – are just a few of the many excellent civic groups that come to mind. I often think of their importance to the Iva community and the lasting impact they have made.  I was fortunate and privileged to have worked with many of them – including the ones that no longer exist. 

Perhaps the most enjoyable part to me was actually working with the individuals. Many of the individuals I had the opportunity to engage with were born and raised in Iva.  They went on to marry and build their homes here.  The stories I often here from them of Iva’s history are invaluable.  The definition of invaluable is “something so precious that one cannot assign a price to it,” and concerning several of these individuals who have passed on, the word has a deeper meaning.  

“The Golden Age Senior Quit Club” is one of those groups that no longer exists.  This group consisted of very talented quilters who would meet weekly to sew and stitch.  They met in the old cafeteria of the Iva High School – a room filled with sewing machines and frames in which quilts in progress were laid out.  They were faithful women who used their talent to benefit the community, and all along the way, they absolutely loved what they did and who they worked with.  Once the quilts were finished, they would be sold and the money used for charitable purposes.  

Then there’s “REVIVA” – what a group!  These members are truly civic-minded community members.  Although the organization may not be not as strong as it once was, their contributions to the Iva community are and will forever be felt.  The group worked to secure a number of grants that paved the way for several beautification projects, established a visitor’s center and museum, and the installation of beautiful “Welcome to Iva” signage.  The group also founded the annual “Depot Day” heritage event.  

Another excellent local group is “The Starr-Iva Ministerial Association.”  This group of area ministers is responsible for large town-wide evangelistic crusades held annually in Iva.  They also planned the community Easter Sunrise Service, held each year at different church in the Iva community.  The association is still active and is making plans for the annual baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors at Crescent High School each year.  The association also co-sponsors the annual community Easter-Egg Hunt.

“The Shamrock Garden Club,” a group of affluent women who engage their talents in flower arranging, setting the table elegantly and teaching and exhibiting the proper care for outdoor flowers and plants.  These women’s advocacy for a clean and beautiful Iva has made a real difference.  

The meaning impact of the volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad cannot be overstated.  I think it is safe to say they are a family of committed individuals who love and cherish their community and make us all safer.  In many ways, they define the community by participating in every community event we have.  The community recognizes their wonderful work, and shows up when they sell BBQ plates, something that has become an annual tradition in Iva.  

We also love the American Legion Post 44.  The guard from the American Legion is quite visible at all special events. They carry the flags at every Christmas Parade and they take care of the Veteran’s Day event and Memorial Day event.  They also make sure young men from Crescent High School are able to attend Boy’s State if they desire to do so.  Their membership is fading away and it is heartbreaking. 

The “Sunrise Seniors” have also re-activated, with younger senior adults taking the reins and injecting new energy.  The group, with about 100 active members, meets monthly for a meal and entertainment, and occasionally take trips occasionally. Members also meet each week for line-dancing as well.   

The “Circle of Hope Widows,” formed just a few years ago, was organized to provide grief support for local widows.  The group meets monthly for support and a meal.  They also participate in many of the town’s events.   

Then there’s the “Antique Body Shop,”a gym designed for senior adults.  While it is not necessarily a civic group, its members are actively engaged in the community.   

Throughout Iva’s history, there have been many civic organizations that have guided the way and laid stones to build our foundation.  Perhaps reflecting simpler times in life, their members tirelessly contributed time, energy, soul, and most of all, love.  

It is absolutely essential for a community to have active civic groups.  These groups provide a source of energy that keep cities and towns alive.  Meanwhile, studies show that civic engagement has declined dramatically in the last 25 years, with participation in groups and organizations cut by more than half.  We must work hard to encourage members of our communities to continue to commit themselves to participate.  

If feel like participating in a civic group has little impact to the good of a community – you are wrong.  You don’t have to pick weeds out of flower beds and pick up in litter in town to make a difference, you can join or attend the activites of a group meeting to help keep those organizations thriving and alive.  

To get involved today, call your local Town Hall ask what organizations exists in your area and how you can get involved.  If you don’t live near a town, call Anderson County and ask about countywide opportunities. There are many county sponsored organizations that need participants, and all are making our towns and our county a better place.

A View from the Front Porch: West Pelzer Prepared for 2021

By Blake Sanders/Mayor of West Pelzer

It’s a cold January in a small, rural town in South Carolina.  The Christmas decorations remain.  Some stockings still hung.  We sit anxiously awaiting our first, maybe only, snow of the season.  While the children run with their Christmas toys, parents basking in the tidbits of warmth provided by the winter sun, there are many municipalities across the nation that are planning – and West Pelzer is one of them!

While historically New Year’s Day is reserved for black-eyed peas, collards, pork chops, and West Pelzer releasing our yearly calendar of festivals and events, COVID-19 has altered our course.  Instead of releasing calendars, working to plan ahead, and get ready to hit the ground running on January 4, we opted instead, as elected officials and staff, to do something that we always tell everyone to do – spend time with your family at home, perhaps on your front porch.

And so that we did, reflecting on 2020 yet still planning 2021 in our own little way.  While we’re not sure yet what the future holds, we are sure that West Pelzer will continue to invest in our community.  In 2021 you’ll continue to see the same great events (COVID pending) like National Night Out, Dog Days of Summer, Mile-Long Yard Sale, Pumpkinpalooza, and the only night parade in Anderson County (with our friends in Pelzer).

We’re confident that you’ll see our neighbors produce some great events (like the Spring Water Festival, and the Pelzer Light People) and we’re sure that our private businesses will continue to bring in many visitors from afar (like the Mill Town Players, Westy’s Antiques, and All About Fabrics).  You see, we’ve spent the last five years investing in community events to introduce residents and businesses to each other and cultivating relationships with our neighbors in Williamston and Pelzer.  We’ve earned our right to sit on the front porch with our families.  If you could only see what we see from our front porch, you would see why we’re always telling the world that we’re the best small town in South Carolina – the “Front Porch” to the Saluda River, Anderson County, Clemson University, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

As we sit on our front porch, we see the 10,000 cars per day on Main Street – ballooning to 25,000 on (Clemson) gameday Saturdays.  This is why we host most of our festivals and events in the fall.  The weather is perfect, the coffee is warm (Moondog Coffee and Art Café opening this Spring on Main Street), and we maximize exposure to passersby across the state.  Yes, we’ve received cards, letters and emails from residents of the low country, praising our festivals, honoring our community for being friendly (yes, we still wave at everyone), and requesting a calendar of events so they could plan on stopping next time.

As we sip on the sweet tea in our rocking chairs, we see the family walking down the street, pulling a wagon full of books.  Surly they’re headed to the Little Free Library at Town Hall (conceptualized and developed 100 percent by residents).  Perhaps they have a few non-perishables to place at the Blessing Box (conceptualized and developed 100 percent by residents).  They could be going to Chapman Park to swing in the sunshine (swings were identified as a need in Town by West Pelzer Elementary School and 50 percent funded by the children in goalPOST).

As we lean forward to stand up to go in at night, we’re reminded that the “West Pelzer Story” has been told thousands of times, but none as important as our annual trips to West Pelzer Elementary School to speak to every grade level about local government.

We always tell the story of how we were founded and how local government operates differently from our friends in Columbia and Washington, D.C.  None are as important as when we reveal the “If I were Mayor” chalkboard and let the children write and draw what they really want in town – some want the potholes filled (yes parents, our children are listening) and some want a Chic-Fil-A next to their house (we’re working on this one).

What we’ve come to realize is that this story has been told for six years straight; this means that for the first time, a Palmetto High School this year a Palmetto High School graduate will walk across the stage knowing the “West Pelzer Story” and memories of a young mayor with a mustache telling them that they could be the next mayor.

Now we realize that in the next election, they’ll be eligible to vote in local, state, and national elections.  We can only reflect in prayer that we have invested enough in our youth to make a difference in what we always say are our “future leaders.”  In West Pelzer, that future has arrived.  Those children will soon be the ones walking their children to the swing they help fund or the Little Free Library they help stock.  Those children will soon be our next employee, our next Council Members, and our next mayor.

So in 2021 be prepared.  Be prepared to relish in our previous accomplishments as we work to make our previous years events and festivals better.  Be prepared to nurture those relationships with your neighbors, your local businesses, and your friends and family from near and far.  Be prepared for may have just been discussed on my front porch -  a new idea may have just emerged from deep conversation for a new event in 2021 – stay tuned!!  As we always say: “The Best is Yet to Come!!”